Women of note: Ensemble members boast varied musical backgrounds

View larger image The Cranberry Chamber Ensemble practices in the home of Hubert and Claudia Martin in Winchester. From left, Sally Seabright, Dottie Eddis, Claudia Martin, LaVerne Sargent, Heather Butler and Amy Fielder. Rich Cooley/Daily Concerto by Correlli Audio: Listen to the concerto by Correlli Recommend This Print This Get E-mail News Alerts Buy Photos/Page Reprints * Breaking News If local news is breaking and you know about it: * Call Us: 800-296-5137 * E-mail Us * Upload Your Photos View larger image Trudy Pearman plays violin during a practice session of the Cranberry Chamber Ensemble. Rich Cooley/Daily

By Jessica Wiant - jwiant@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER - They call themselves "the Cranberries," but unlike the popular Irish rock band of that name, this one features more than just one leading lady. In fact, the Cranberry Chamber Ensemble features the talents of exclusively women -- seven of them in all.

Of course, there are other differences. As opposed to alternative megahits, the women of Winchester's version of the Cranberries focus on classical pieces by often unheard of composers to stretch their already well-versed repertoire.

And you will be more likely to find these women rehearsing in Claudia Martin's sunroom than performing in arenas.

Martin's cottage at Westminster-Canterbury is actually how the group got its name when they first started getting together several years ago.

According to Martin, the women started out as the "Eastminster Cranberry" as a play on the name of the retirement community.

Martin, and her husband, Hubert, now play host to her fellow Cranberries every Monday morning into the afternoon.

The women arrive -- two of them from just a few doors away -- around 9:30 a.m. each week and engage in some friendly conversation before taking up their instruments.

Sally Seabright plays the violin and viola; Amy Fielder, the violin and viola; Trudy Pearman, the violin; LaVerne Sargent, the flute and recorders; Dottie Eddis the cello; Heather Butler the violin and mandolin; and finally, their is the hostess, Martin, on piano.

Seconds earlier, as they are chatting, cracking jokes and laughing, they could be any group of seven women getting together on a Monday morning, but when the music begins, the soaring notes fill the air and even the Martins' little wire-haired companion, Poco, stands at attention.

Between them, they have been teachers (Martin, Sargent and Seabright), music therapists (Butler), and members of other choruses and orchestras.

Seabright plays a Russian string instrument called a domra in the American Balalaika Orchestra in Washington, while Fielder sings with the Arts Academy Chorale in Winchester.

Pearman, now retired, has played in symphony orchestras and other chamber groups.
Butler plays in orchestras, as well as Celtic and country music groups.

Sargent, in addition to teaching part time at Shenandoah University, is also a member of the Winchester Baroque Ensemble and an expert on Baroque instruments and performances.

The women range in age, preferring to go by the ages of their children: Pearman's daughter is grown and a professional violinist. Butler's children are the youngest -- at 4 and 10.

As for playing their part in the Cranberries, it all just fell into place through their network of friends and neighbors.

For women with so much experience, the weekly music sessions offer a chance to play different music, usually selected by Martin for the group.

Seabright jokes it's music by composers they've never played before, and sometimes can't even pronounce.

"It's fun to discover new things," Martin says.

And it's also a chance to simply enjoy the fellowship.

"We laugh a lot," Martin says between quips.

Oh, and there's another thing: the food. All the ladies brag of Martin's cooking skills, as she provides lunch during their weekly get-togethers.

But don't be mistaken, the music gets taken seriously.

The group silences again and rehearses a Christmas concerto.

Then as quickly as they finish, Martin's husband let's out a hearty "Brava! Brava!" from the kitchen, and they all break into conversation once more.

The women play at Westminster-Canterbury for Friday music groups, and sometimes perform at weddings.

This month, they will add two Christmas concerts to their routine: At 3 p.m. on Dec. 10 at Westminster-Canterbury and at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the Unitarian Universalist Church on U.S. 11 south of Stephens City.

The concerts will feature "Christmas Concerti" -- telling the story of the Nativity by music -- by Torelli, Corelli, Manfredini, Vivaldi and Corette.