Holiday Cheer with Newberry & Verch

Growing up, musicians Joe Newberry and April Verch absorbed traditions of home and hearth—in his Missouri Ozarks and her Ottawa Valley of Canada. The holidays have always been a special time of year for both, with family and friends, festive decorations, gifts under the tree, and always... music. Each year, the duo sets out in a modern-day sleigh (with four-wheel drive) to perform their holiday tour.

Original songs join timeless hymns. Stories warm the heart and give a twinkle to the eye. Lively fiddle and banjo numbers combine with traditional dance steps to illustrate happy times when people made their own fun at the holidays and all year long. Make your holiday concert list, and check it twice... Newberry and Verch are coming to town!

Joe Newberry grew up in a family full of singers and dancers. He took up guitar and banjo as a teenager and learned fiddle tunes from great Missouri fiddlers. April Verch grew up listening to her dad’s country band play for dances in the Ottawa Valley. She started step dancing at age three and fiddling at age six. Both became masters of their traditions and tour the world with their respective bands and projects. Yet they never forget the roots of their music: the connection to people in the audience and on the dance floor, and to the community sparked by a good song.

For these veteran performers from distinct traditions and parts of the world, their collaboration is fueled by a shared passion for bringing people together to celebrate traditional music. Blues and ballads lead into Canadian regional styles and originals. Their voices blend in harmony, their tasteful instrumentals show their mastery, and then their feet kick up the dust in perfect rhythm. Together, they make you remember why this music existed in the first place.

This performance is made possible through the generous support of our neighbors at Glens Falls Hospital. We are grateful for the hospital’s community partnership and sponsorship, which help bring this performance to our stage and keep the arts vibrant and accessible in our community.