Magpie

Celebrate the Earth's environment, history and culture with award-winning musical duo Magpie's engaging and uplifting music. Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner have captivated audiences for over 30 years, weaving guitar, mandolin, concertina, harmonica with rich harmonies and sign language. Meet the Chesapeake Bay's regional treasure inTales of the Blue Crab. Discover the remarkable diversity of global and cultural holiday traditions in Season of Light. Commemorate the struggle and rejoice in the triumphs ofBattle Cry of Freedom: Civil War to Civil Rights. Honor our Living Planet 1 now and again with Living Planet 2 (NEW!) to learn about the Earth's amazing biodiversity. Performance highlights include Pete Seeger's Clearwater Festival and Lincoln Center. Call for additional program offerings.

“Greg and Terry are so strong and earthy and musical! They 'ooze' goodness! They packed a lot of information into one program!”

TILGHMAN ELEMENTAR

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Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner began to play music together in Kent, Ohio in September of 1973. They chose the name Magpie for their band, a name which grew in personal significance for them as years went by. Terry was a student in her senior year at Kent State University in the fall of '73, and when she graduated the following spring, she and Greg packed Greg's VW bus and moved to the Washington, DC area. In the years since then, they have traveled and toured extensively, performed in concerts, at folk clubs and festivals around the world, and recorded many times. Greg began to play music in the early sixties as a direct result of the Civil Rights Movement. Terry also began singing at that time, and spent many of her childhood summers with her mother's family in the Deep South where she witnessed the cruelty of racism and the power of the Movement. Terry and Greg continue to reflect these experiences in their own work in support of the ongoing struggles for civil rights, freedom, justice, and peace.

From the beginning Terry and Greg's interests in various musical styles have led them to be eclectic in their repertoire. Magpie has always embraced a musical rainbow, which include traditional, classic country, swing, blues of the 1920s and 30s, and contemporary songs written by themselves and others. Terry is a gifted singer of jazz and blues in the tradition of Connie Boswell and Billie Holiday, but is equally comfortable with traditional folk and contemporary songs. She is also an excellent player of the harmonica, mandolin, fretted dulcimer, and rhythm guitar. Greg, a high baritone vocalist and guitarist, plays a wide range of styles including ballads, ragtime blues, and swing.

Magpie is well known as regular performers on Phil Ochs Song Nights, organized by Phil's sister, Sonny Ochs, since 1984. Over the years, Terry and Greg have also become distinguished for producing programs of music for museums (including the Smithsonian Institution), schools, and other special events. They are master artists with the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts, and in that capacity have worked in many residency programs and teacher training workshops, demonstrating their methods for utilizing music effectively as a tool for early childhood education. Terry and Greg have many years of experience working in schools, performing for children and families. They have developed several special school programs for students of all ages including two on the environment and others on historical themes such as the Great Depression and the 1960s.

Terry and Greg are internationally known as well for their musical work in the environmental movement. Throughout their career, they have devoted a tremendous amount of their time, energy, and music to environmental causes. Their musical work has supported the work of such groups as National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Park Service, and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Earth Day 1998 found them performing at Harpers Ferry National Park where their well-known anthem, "We Belong to the Earth" was a perfect finale to a speech by President Clinton. They have been featured presenters for statewide environmental education associations around the country.

*See Programs for Artist Fees