To mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Associates of the Boston Public Library commissioned two original blackout poems by Regie Gibson, the inaugural Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for We Hold These Truths, the 8th Pierce Performance Series. Read his introduction and poems below, then watch his live performance from the event.
A Masterclass in Koussevitzky as a Double Bass
2024 Pierce Performance: 150 Years of Koussevitzky — Night 3 Recap The Associates of the Boston Public Library presented the third and final evening in the sixth annual Pierce Performance Series, 150 Years of Koussevitzky, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Boston Public Library. This annual event aims to highlight treasures in the BPL’s Special Collections through free public …
Meet the BPL Curator of Music – Jared Rex
Meet Jared Rex, Associates-funded BPL Curator of Music in Special Collections.
Koussevitzky’s Legacy: A Fascinating Musical History
On October 29, 2024, the Associates hosted the 2nd evening of Pierce Performance Series: 150 Years of Koussevitzky. Speakers Tom Godell and Harlow Robinson discussed Koussevitzky’s influence. BSO musicians performed Britten’s String Quartet No. 2. Read the recap here.
Koussevitzky, Innovator: A Night to Remember
The Associates of the Boston Public Library kicked off the first of three nights of our sixth annual Pierce Performance Series, 150 Years of Koussevitzky, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the Boston Public Library.
"Faces of Phillis," a three part event celebrating Phillis Wheatley Peters
The Associates held our 5th annual Pierce Performance Series celebrating Phillis Wheatley Peters on December 4, 2023. Read the full recap here.
Onward – Votes for Women
The 2021 Pierce Performance featured the world premiere of ONWARD – Votes for Women, a documentary play created by Lisa Rafferty, with music arranged and composed by Adam R. McDonald.
Giving Voice to the Abolitionists
Watch the 2020 Pierce Performance, “Giving Voice to the Abolitionists: Selected Readings from the BPL’s Anti-Slavery Collection.”
Celebrating the 19th Amendment
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, a struggle for equality that spanned decades. The Associates commissioned a play to commemorate this event.
Peace Jubilee Commemoration Concert
Did you miss our inaugural Pierce Performance Series? Check out this video of the event — which commemorated the 150th anniversary of Patrick Gilmore’s National Peace Jubilee.