HomeHaven invites you to Join the Circle!

Sunday, April 19th at 3:00pm
Unitarian Society of New Haven
700 Hartford Turnpike, Hamden, CT

HomeHaven member Tom Martin’s program introduces the music theory concept of the Circle of Fifths, which illustrates the relationship between keys, scales, and chords in Western music. Keys are traditionally associated with specific emotions, shaping the atmospheric tone of the music. Mr. Martin has selected works by J.S. Bach, Joseph Haydn, and Frederic Chopin to illustrate the harmonic connections associated with major and minor keys. Following intermission, Tom will play George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
A reception will follow the recital.

About Concert Pianist and Master Teacher Thomas Martin

A native of New Haven, Thomas A. Martin graduated from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music (1975) and earned his Master of Music Degree at the Juilliard School (1977). He has performed solo and chamber recitals throughout the US and France. Throughout his career, Tom has been an active collaborator with many CT and NY based musicians and has played orchestral piano with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and Wallingford Symphony. He is the organist at First United Methodist Church in Meriden.

In 2021, Tom retired from Choate Rosemary Hall where he was a visiting faculty member for 34 years and taught piano, AP Music Theory, and performed in countless student and faculty venues. For 11 years, he was a faculty member of the Juilliard MAP program, teaching piano and piano ensemble. He maintains an active private piano studio in Hamden. 

The inspiration for this program springs from Tom’s rare ability to identify or produce specific musical notes inherently without prompting, also known as perfect pitch. His favorite composer is Chopin. He finds time to work in the gardens at his home in Hamden and is an active member of the New Haven Garden Club. Tom has been an active member of HomeHaven since 2011.