NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Drury Performing Arts Center will host folk artist Tracy Grammer on Friday.

 

Students in the high school's performing arts management program will produce the concert that not only will showcase Grammer but five Drury High students.

 

"The Boston Globe wrote 'One of the finest pure musicians anywhere in folkdom,' " teacher Jamie Choquette said. "We think the audience will agree. We also hope community members will support the great work these students are doing as musicians, artists, and producers."

 

Grammer, a singer, guitar player, violinist, and storyteller, has recorded with Joan Baez and Mary Chapin Carpenter and has headlined several of the nation's top folk festivals.

 

She also has been one of folk radio's 50 top-played artists, both solo and with the late Dave Carter, and is currently on tour with her 11th album, "Low Tide."

 

Choquette said he was an audio engineer back in 2007 on a tour called "Songs of the Spirit" that featured Grammer along with a diverse group of performers.

 

"I was an audio engineer on the tour and Tracy's set was my favorite part of the show," he said. "When I heard she was touring with a new album, the class agreed it would be great to have her come to Drury."

 

Students Hailey Peters, Noah Lemaire, Darby Taylor, Jadyn Kline and Audrey Belanger will also perform.

 

Choquette said the DPAM class will run every aspect of the show. 

 

"They consist of 12 students Grades 8-12 who manage all aspects of the production including marketing, box office, artist management, and the technical set-up," he  said. 

 

The performance will be featured in a new space, Club 315 — the former technology arts room.

 

"The large expansive room inspired us to adapt to a performance space and theater classroom," Choquette said. "In the past, when we wanted a more intimate performance space, we would close off the stage and have the audience and performer in close proximity. Club 315 expands on this intimate venue idea."

 

Art teacher Erica Manville will also curate a student art show that will begin at 6 on the night of the show. Showgoers will be able to buy food at the student bake sale and peruse the student art before the music begins at 7.

 

Choquette said he hopes students will learn what really goes into a professional production

 

"From the legalese of the contract and payment, how to meet the needs of the artists with hospitality and technical riders, how to effectively market a show with a very small budget, how lighting, audio, and room presentation are important and unique to each show, all of the communication and safety measures that are necessary for each production," he said. "Most importantly; how to manage to the level of responsibility that comes with the real-world scenario of every live production."

 

The show starts at 7. Tickets can be purchased here or at the door.