Dream a Little Dream: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with PMAC’s 18th Annual Jazz Night

200 Seacoast adults will take the stage on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Unity of Sound, a community music festival hosted by Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) at Portsmouth Middle School from 12–5 p.m. The festival features 18 adult music ensembles performing a wide range of styles—from bluegrass and jazz to choral, rock, classical, and more. Unity of…

Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) proudly announces the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Susan Labrie and Jason Goodrich. Together, they bring decades of professional expertise in marketing, real estate, engineering, and community engagement, along with a shared passion for the Seacoast’s vibrant arts and cultural community. After retiring from…

Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC) brings the 1980s back to life—jazz style—at Jazz Night: 80s Songbook, happening Saturday, Sept. 27 at The Music Hall Lounge. With two shows at 7 and 9 pm, this one-night event puts a bold spin on highlights from a beloved era, all reinterpreted by PMAC’s top-tier faculty musicians.. Now…

We are incredibly proud to celebrate our 2025 PMAC graduating seniors! Each of these talented young artists has left a lasting impression on our community, and we’re excited to share a few of their stories with you. You’ll also get a glimpse into their favorite memories, what’s next for them, and how they plan to…

By PMAC CEO & New Horizons Band Director Russ Grazier On Saturday, March 15, more than 80 musicians gathered for something truly special: the annual New Hampshire New Horizons Band Combined Concert. This unique event brings together adult community bands from across the state—based in the Lakes Region, Concord, Monadnock, and Portsmouth—for one day of…

By guest blogger and PMAC student Elliott Shoemaker On January 27th, the Cub Scouts from the Tigers and Bears dens visited PMAC as part of their goal to complete the Paws for Action badge. Organized by PMAC piano and Rock 101 student Ike Greenberg, with help from his dad, Adam, the visit gave the Tigers and Bears…

PMAC Summer offers unique art camps for youth, week-long youth and teen music workshops, flexible art and music lessons for all ages, and an adult community band. Come fill your summer with creativity and community! Tuition aid is available. Applying early for aid is recommended – March 1st is our first deadline. Our final deadline…

Conrad Veilleux first started playing the tenor saxophone in high school, then continued as a member of the navy band until 1958. “Then I came back out and I forgot all about the sax,” Conrad shares, now age 92. While Conrad didn’t actively miss music during the following busy years, six decades later he met…

This article originally appeared in PMAC’s FY24 Annual Report, published December 2024. In April 2024, PMAC partnered with members of the Grammy-winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO), led by drummer Adonis Rose, to bring authentic jazz education to the Seacoast. During an inspirational week, students from PMAC, Portsmouth High School (PHS), and the University of…

This article originally appeared in PMAC’s FY24 Annual Report, published December 2024. PMAC was thrilled to partner with The Music Hall to take a group of PMAC students to the Emerging Artist Benefit Concert featuring Songwriters Hall of Fame nominee Jason Mraz. The students were able to meet and talk with Jason during the afternoon…

PMAC’s Creative Aging Program continues to thrive, offering free, dynamic visual arts programming for adults aged 65 and older. These engaging classes provide opportunities for older adults to connect socially, express themselves creatively, and enhance their quality of life through the arts. Creative Aging Spring 2025 Offerings: Explore Collage/Zine-Making and Monoprinting This spring, PMAC’s offers…

This week marks marks the close of PMAC’s fall semester and a fresh start for what’s ahead in 2025. As we gear up for a new semester filled with creativity and inspiration, it’s the perfect time to reflect on artistic goals and aspirations. We asked some of our faculty members and staff: What are your…