Since 1988, on the second Tuesday of each month from October to May, the free Music at Noon concert series has presented exceptional musicians with a diverse mix of musical styles.
Come listen, and bring your lunch! The Hall opens at 11 AM for these noon concerts.
Allen Lescak studied the piano at an early age and continued with brass instruments beginning with elementary school continuing through college. In the late 1970’s, he discovered the recorder and the wonderful “noyse” of the early music repertoire. He plays a variety of instruments including the recorder, sackbutt and capped reeds. Over the past 30 years, he performed with a number of early music ensembles and most recently with The Bleecker Consort. He was a member of the American Recorder Society (ARS), and past President and Secretary of the local ARS chapter. He has attended numerous workshops and was one of the chapter’s regular conductors.
Michael Murphy has studied recorder with Laura Hagen of Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music and attended workshops with John Tyson, Eric Haas, Tina Chancey, and Richie and Elaine Henzler. In addition to recorders, capped reeds, and percussion, he is a bass/baritone and former vocal student of Anne Turner. Michael has performed as an instrumentalist or vocalist with The Bleecker Consort, Lycaeides, Albany Pro Musica, Schenectady Light Opera, Capital Chamber Artists, Opera Excelsior, and Lake George Opera. Michael is a Distinguished Teaching Professor from the State University of New York and a Fulbright Senior Scholar in the fields of biotechnology and ethics in science.
Janie Schwab is an accomplished dulcian, bassoon, and recorder player who holds a B.A. from Wellesley College. While in college, she studied with Eva Linfield. In addition to The Bleecker Consort, she has played with Tufts Early Music, Ars et Amici, and the American Recorder Society. Janie is an astronomer and has been involved in research and education at Harvard University and the Dudley Observatory.
Deborah Segel, a founding member of The Bleecker Consort, has been active as a recorder player and musician for about 35 years. She has been involved in the ensemble's music arrangements and in educational presentations of medieval and Renaissance music in several local schools. She has performed with The Bleecker Consort at the Saratoga Dance Flurry, in Troy Music Hall's noon music series, and in St. Paul's "Music at Noon" series. She has studied Renaissance musical instruments and performance practice, traveled and performed with Ars et Amici, and is a past president and programming director of the Hudson-Mohawk chapter of the American Recorder Society. She plays variety of recorders, doumbek and various frame drums. Her main day job is operating Segel Violins in Troy, where she repairs and sells violins, violas, cellos and their bows.
Beth Gurzler is the newest member of The Bleecker Consort. She holds a BA in music education and performance and an MA in music education with a concentration in flute and early childhood music. She also performs with Saratoga Voices, Albany Pro Musica, the Colonie Memorial Band and has appeared as soloist in area churches and schools. She has performed with several regional chamber groups and orchestras. She leads workshops in early dance and music for the SCA specializing in early double reeds. Beth was the founder and administrative director of Pathways Community Music Center., Beth taught instrumental and classroom music in area catholic schools. She currently works as a visiting nurse.
