Via Community News Service, in partnership with the University of Vermont for Shelburne News
SHELBURNE — Guitar strumming mingled with the shrieks of delighted children on a recent Tuesday morning as performer G’Raph entertained a happy crowd at the Pierson Library.
The buoyant mood was typical for the weekly Music & Movement with G’Raph sessions, said Michael Hibben, Pierson Library director.
“His performances are infused with enthusiasm, and it often seems like he’s having as much fun as the littles singing and dancing to the music.”
As G’Raph, whose real name is Raphael Groten, performed to a crowd of library patrons, the kids, parents, grandparents and caregivers sang, clapped and danced around the room.
“The kids go home and they pretend to be us, and they’re playing their little instruments, and they’re singing ‘Monster Truck,’ and it’s just great to know that I’m inspiring the next generation,” Groten said.
Groten began performing at the library in 2025, singing both his own music and covers. The sessions run from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays.
“The feedback about G’Raph has been overwhelmingly positive,” Hibben said. “I overheard one parent commenting to another, ‘We’re here every Tuesday because my little one is obsessed with G’Raph.’”
Groten has been surrounded by music since childhood. He started with the saxophone, but has since taken up many more instruments including the guitar and keyboard. He has long been drawn to music, so having a musical career was natural to him.
“This was always something that I wanted to do with my life,” Groten said. “I was always inspired by my music teachers when I was young.”
Groten graduated from the University of Vermont with a minor in music in 1996. When composing his many original songs, Groten likes to pick up the guitar and let new music come to him.
“It’s like sitting down with the canvas and just doing art,” Groten said.
One of his recent projects was a father-son collaboration. Groten released his eighth album in October 2025 with his son Oliver Reckord-Groten. This album, titled “Shine,” has 16 songs.
“Collaborating on songs with even one person helped me expand my horizons,” Reckord-Groten said. “It was even more special because it was with a family member.”
Reckord-Groten grew up around music and now plays guitar, bass and keyboard. He and his dad began sharing songs and melodies back and forth, realizing they had enough to create an album.
“It’s so beautiful, working together with ideas and melodies,” Groten said.
Much of Groten’s music carries messages of healing, peace and unity.
“It’s a rare mix of music you want to listen to but it also has a certain message,” Reckord-Groten said. “A lot of music today does not really have a clear point but his music really tries to spread positivity and love.”
Groten believes in the idea of “music as medicine” that can heal and help listeners.
“In times that are clearly troubling, it’s up to each of us to be a lighthouse,” Groten said. “That’s one of our songs. We each have this capacity to practice kindness and compassion and forgiveness.”