New Hampshire
The team from Keene meets Symphony NH 4th in the series | Manchester Ink Link
The Team From Keene meets Symphony NH
A 21st Century Approach to 19th Century Music.
Fourth in a multi-part series.
The New Hampshire Concerto Competition
Just before 7:30 p.m. on November 8, 2023, 11 college students from across the state of New Hampshire filed into Keefe Auditorium in Nashua. All music majors, they were the finalists chosen to represent their schools at an “orchestra read session.”
The team from Keene State College (KSC) connected with me through Dr. Heather Gilligan, Professor of Music, and coordinator of composition, theory, and aural skills. An active composer and performer in her own right, she immediately saw the value for students in the KSC music department.
Senior Zach Keenan emerged as the student liaison for this Ink Link News, Arts and Culture project. He had just become the arts media editor for KSC’s school newspaper, the Equinox, and had begun to interview the other participating Keene music composition students.
The team from Keene engaged the whole student body, held a listening party, and packed their finalists off to the competition in style.
Symphony New Hampshire’s Concerto was meant to build bridges across the state and the team from Keene led the way.
When they arrived in Nashua, they were primed and ready… Check out this short video to see their energy:
A Composition Competition – Creating new music for orchestra
Imagine taking college level classes in musical composition or performance and getting offered the opportunity to create a piece for live orchestral performance. To start, create a 90 second excerpt – much like the way new music is found and promoted these days in the anonymity of the internet. This time, however, it is not going up on TikTok but will be heard and performed by a symphonic orchestra.
The top submissions got their
composers (creators, in social media influencer speak) a chance to hear a
live read (performance, in non-musician speak) with personal feedback from the conductor and orchestra. Each of the students that traveled to Nashua also received a professionally recorded digital copy of their excerpt with comments from the orchestra, conductor and judges.
Who else does this?
“Hey Zack, do you want accents in the oboe, bassoon?” Maestro Roger Kalia
Imagine hearing the orchestra, pause after the first play through, and have musicians ask questions of the composer – make suggestions or comments as they notice a gap or to help flesh out the intentions of the composer.
HUMAN MUSICIANS NOT SOFTWARE
Deanna Hoying, Executive Director of Symphony NH, wanted to create exactly this opportunity for NH undergrads. She wanted to do something for the college undergrads here in NH that don’t have that opportunity outside of a student group or a MIDI to really hear their work.
She says, “young composers, particularly now, hear everything in MIDI and what you envision is very different than when you put it in the hands of a person and the timbre (tonal quality) changes. There are these subtleties that you might not get in (software programs) the same as a person playing that tangible wood or metal (instrument).”
There was no MIDI here – no machine fed work -Just a human to human interaction. A mini mentoring opportunity and role play in real time.
Meet The Team from Keene
ZACHARY KEENAN – Keene State College Class of 2024. Senior. Music Tech, and Multimedia Director for the KSC Equinox.
Zach was the first person to reach out to me to participate and share with all of us what this experience is like – to be an undergrad – invited to write a short piece, perhaps a whole movement for a real orchestra –
How did you first get interested in music as a career?
My name is Zach Keenan and I got interested in music as a career through the hobby of writing and recording my own music which I then developed an interest in the field of music technology.
What was your first impression when you learned about your opportunity to participate at the reading in Nashua?
My first impression was “this is a cool opportunity to hear what I wrote played live”
What was it like to go through the reading with a live Orchestra?
It was very cool as I had only been able to listen to the piece on composition software before and hearing it with real people and real instruments injected life into the piece.
How did it feel to get real time feedback from musicians and Maestro Roger Kalia?
It was nice to get feedback from a complete outside source and get their honest reactions to what I had written.
Several people commented and compared the experience to the current practices of using MIDI. Thoughts you might want to share here?
As I said before, MIDI playback gives you certainly a rough estimate of what your piece sounds like, but nothing compares to the real thing and real people playing music together.
What are two highlights from the process that might change your approach going forward?
I had forgotten some accents on a part and when asked for clarification on what I wanted (I did want those accents) it completely changed how that bar flowed
I had forgotten some accents on a part and when asked for clarification on what I wanted (I did want those accents) it completely changed how that bar flowed so I suppose I would remember to make sure everything is consistent.
Another highlight was that I got to hear my fellow composers and see their works come to life too. It was a special moment that the 4 of us each got to experience each others works come to life and cheer each other on during the readings.
Zack went on to interview his fellow composition students.
You can watch the interviews here and what follows is an excerpt of their Q & A
Simon Furze ‘24 – double major in music composition and music technology (senior) His work Mountains was selected as part of the NH Concerto
Alexander Royce ‘ 25 Music composition Major (junior)
Miles Johnstone ’25 Music composition Major (junior)
Dr. Gilligan reached out to most of the composition students – announcing a search for undergraduate students to write a piece – and perhaps get to work with an actual orchestra and hear their work played by an orchestra. Most had never written an orchestration before.
“An interesting journey for me” says Alexander Royce.
Process of writing the piece:
Furze: composition sometimes fighting a current but here “seamless work” Gets a basic idea down. Listening & hearing for him is a natural basis of writing.
For Royce: slow start. Had to write more vertically and longer lines – adding what helped him start was ‘imagery’ as a composer – looked up pictures of NH to give an image and a setting.
Johnstone: – at first daunting – had to write out for a whole number of instruments – but soon figured out a melody line and put it into an instrument and went from there.
Inspiration for the piece:
Furze: “It is an ode to Mt Monadnock. A composition that reflects the mountain’s towering beauty.” Representing stability, because, growing up, it has always been there for him.
Royce: Image setting is a train ride in the fall in Northern NH. The leaves are colorful, and you are constantly moving.
Johnstone: Inspiration is a ghost story out of Benton NH about Dr. Thomas Benton. The legend was that his fiancé died. He became odd and almost crazy. Then strange things happened to the town’s livestock and people went missing.
What influences your compositional voice?
Furze: Tries to be original for his compositions. Tries not to take ideas from other composers but rather he works with his authentic, self-originated ideas.
Royce: says it is good to get ideas listening to others performing or composition of peers. Finds it great to see how different their compositional voices are. But, then he reaches out of his own compositional bubble to try new things.
Johnstone: Is a big fan of movies, and TV soundtracks. Horror movies especially influence his voice. He wants to compose for TV and movies in the future. Finds himself really inspired by Peter Gundry.
What do you hope to do next?
Furze: finishing up his senior year. Then taking a gap year. He’s hoping to get into a master’s program in composition and work toward a doctorate and teaching at a university.
Royce: nobody knows what will happen next but he would like to start a piano studio and teach piano while hopefully getting some commissions. Composition for bands, personal artists, and film. Music scouts please note: Anything he can get his hands on, he is willing to do. He’s hungry to get out there and start.
Johnstone: wants to continue writing for large ensembles – once he got over it being overwhelming st its actually really fun. He is hoping to start a composition for big band jazz band next semester and hopefully a concert band semester after that. Then continue composition into grad school and go into the industry of TV and film composition.
Learn more about the team from Keene:
Dr. Heather Gilligan
“Gilligan has helped transform New Hampshire’s Keene State College into a magnetic sanctuary for concerts of new musical works and workshops with veteran composers.”
She guided and with Zach in the lead, they created a community around this team from Keene and the excitement and visibility showed in everything they did.
Miles Johnstone
Simon Furze
https://www.instagram.com/simonfurze/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGdGfPgdkNg Hear his interview with Zach at KSC Equinox after being notified he was selected for the Concerto.
The New Hampshire Concerto premieres April 20, 2024
The New Hampshire Concerto premieres at Symphony New Hampshire’s New World Concert, April 20, 2024 The concert opens with the NH Concerto and introduces work by Simon Furze (KSC), Grace Chen (Dartmouth), Wesley Coffin (UNH) and Tyler Nadeau (Plymouth State).
The concert ends with Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, “From the New World.” Inspired by the spirit of African-American spirituals and Native American music that he heard during his travels in America, the work is a fitting tribute to New Hampshire, the spirit of the people who have come before, and those that will come after us.
Read the 3 earlier installments of this multi-part series of A 21st Century approach to 19th Century Music:
Jude Morris New Voice Classic Performance
The lads of UNH Wesley Coffin, Kyle Cook and Michael Crowley
Grace Chen – The One from Dartmouth College
Dover, New Hampshire is finally going to see something go into the old Ames Building, (same plaza as Hannaford) at 833 Central Avenue. It’s not just “something,” it’s a Community space we didn’t know we wanted.
Justin Grondahl is the owner of TRAENE Fitness & Pickleball and he’s opening one here in Dover. He has 63,000 square feet to make beautiful. Justin is the son of the co-founder of Planet Fitness that started right here in Dover, New Hampshire.
Justin spent some time with me here in the Townsquare Studios and told me everything we can expect.
You will not believe what he has in store for this place. It makes me want to move to Dover. (although it’s like my 2nd home – I’m here all. the. time.) Check out what his plans are:
- 10 indoor pickleball courts
- 3,000 Square Foot Classroom for Megaformer Pilates Classes
- 20,000 square feet of just gym equipment
- 2 Cold Plunges
- 3 Saunas, with three floors. Lots of people can fit into them
- Big Locker Rooms
- Red Light Beds
- Massage Chairs
- Massage Beds
- Tanning Booths
TRAENE Recently Added a Peptide Clinic to their Plans
If you are unfamiliar with peptides, they are chains of amino acids that help you heal injuries, build muscles and in some cases, lose weight.
After Justin told me all this, I asked if they will have food and drinks too because it was the only thing I could think of that they didn’t mention! He said, “yes, we’ll have something.”
What’s Up With the Penguin?
When Justin came into the studio, he had a TRAENE branded shirt that included a penguin. When I asked him why a Penguin, he said that it has always been his favorite animal because they are very tied to their Community. They never really leave and they are always together.
READ THIS: 6 Reason’s Why Brown’s Lobster Shack is a NH Seafood Treasure
Justin is already under construction of TRAENE. He said they should be open in the Fall of 2026.
Another incredible perk of being part of the TRAENE community is they are going to pick between 10 – 15 Members of the Month who are going to get rewards like:
- Renting out a race track
- Limo service to Bruins or Celtics games, whichever the member chooses
These trips will be all paid for, all free, Justin said.
New Fitness & Pickeball Center Opening Up in the Fall of 2026 in Dover, NH
As soon as I hear about when TRAENE is opening, I’ll let you know and you and I can get our pickleball team together. Justin did say sometime in the fall, but no specific date.. yet.
8 New Hampshire Restaurants That Closed in January/February 2026
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
All Team USA New England Athletes Who Won Medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics
As of Sunday, February 22, 2026, 10 athletes from New England won medals in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
The New Hampshire Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 8-6-2
Evening: 8-8-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 7-6-9-2
Evening: 6-5-8-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the New Hampshire Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Pick 3, 4: 1:10 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Megabucks Plus: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a New Hampshire managing editor. You can send feedback using this form.
New Hampshire
‘Not cosmetic’: NH lawmaker wants state to cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss – Concord Monitor
Two years ago, Sue Prentiss got a sobering reality check at her doctor’s office. The news was blunt: She qualified for bariatric surgery, a procedure for patients whose weight poses life-threatening risks.
She was aware of her weight and had tried everything from high-intensity workouts to weight loss programs and diets. Nothing seemed to help until she started taking GLP-1 medications.
Prentiss said between then and now, she had lost almost 80 pounds.
But at a $500 out-of-pocket monthly fee, every refill is a financial pinch.
“I’m just getting by, but I’m so much healthier, and if this can work for me, think about everybody else’s life where this would impact,” said Prentiss, a state senator.
To keep up with the cost, she’s made hard choices like cutting back on retirement contributions and squeezing her budget wherever possible.
Now, Prentiss is sponsoring Senate Bill 455, which would require the state to provide GLP-1 medications under the state Medicaid plan as a treatment for people with obesity.
As of January, New Hampshire’s Medicaid program has ended coverage for GLP-1 drugs like Saxenda, Wegovy and Zepbound for weight loss. The state still covers the medications when they’re part of a treatment plan for other chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, certain cardiovascular diseases, severe sleep apnea and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH).
According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the state paid managed care organizations $49.5 million to cover GLP-1 medications between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The policy change in January reduced that cost to $41 million.
With these drugs gaining popularity, the state estimated that if were to resume covering GLP-1s for weight loss, it would need to spend an additional $24.2 million on top of the $41 million per fiscal year.
Jonathan Ballard, chief medical officer at DHHS, said the agency opposes the bill, which would require Medicaid coverage for anyone with a body mass index above 30 seeking GLP-1 medications specifically for weight loss.
Ballard said the state cannot afford such an expansion when budgets are already tight.
“The department does not have this money today,” he said. “So, living within the realities of our current budget, there will be significant trade-offs. We will have to cut other things that are very important to the health and well-being of New Hampshire to pay for this unless there’s some change.”
GLP-1 drugs carry a steep price tag that puts significant pressure on state budgets, particularly within Medicaid programs. Several states, including California, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, have moved to drop coverage of these medications for weight loss.
Prentiss initially drafted her legislation with private insurers in mind, but later pivoted to focus on Medicaid to serve more vulnerable populations. She is covered by commercial insurance and said the outcome of the bill will not personally affect her.
Lost coverage
GLP-1 medications mimic a natural hormone in the gut that helps regulate blood sugar, digestion and appetite.
Sarah Finn, section chief for obesity medicine at Dartmouth Health, said she has seen firsthand the impact on her patients after the state dropped Medicaid coverage for weight-loss GLP-1 drugs.
Without access to these medications, patients experience increased hunger, cravings and persistent “food noise,” as their bodies attempt to return to a higher fat percentage, a process known as metabolic adaptation, she said.
“This is the reality of the state I’m in right now, where I don’t have options except bariatric surgery for my Medicaid patients and a lot of times patients don’t want to do a surgery,” said Finn, at a hearing for the bill on Wednesday. “What I have to tell that patient is there’s nothing I could do to advocate.”
The Department of Health and Human Services faced a $51 million budget cut when the New Hampshire Legislature passed its biennial budget last year, forcing the department to reduce several services.
While Prentiss acknowledges the financial strain on the department, she wants the state to consider the long-term impact of using GLP-1s to prevent chronic conditions like diabetes, which is largely linked to weight gain and can drive up costs for the state over time.
“By driving down obesity, we can drive down the costs that are related to it,” she said.
Prentiss remains on GLP-1 medications and said she feels much healthier than before.
She said that after a few months on the drugs, her blood sugar levels and kidney function began trending toward more normal ranges.
“It’s not cosmetic,” she said. “Obesity is a medical condition.”
-
Alaska4 minutes agoU.S. Coast Guard announces homeporting of the first two Arctic Security Cutters in Alaska
-
Arizona10 minutes agoDust returns to Phoenix area after hazy weekend – KTAR.com
-
Arkansas16 minutes agoArkansas Storm Team Blog: 7th driest year on record to date
-
California22 minutes ago480 ducks find homes after an emergency rescue operation in Riverside County
-
Colorado28 minutes agoIs Elitch Gardens open? Your guide to Colorado amusement parks
-
Connecticut33 minutes agoCEA Testimony Unravels Under Basic Questions at Finance Hearing
-
Delaware40 minutes agoViVA Awards luncheon celebrates service across Delaware County
-
Georgia52 minutes agoGeorgia Tech salvages finale vs. North Carolina ahead of UGA matchup