USCB Chamber Music enters 45th season
Staff reports
USCB Chamber Music returns for its 45th season with brilliant artists joining pianist and Artistic Director Andy Armstrong to play the grand music of the classical repertoire.
There will be Stefan Jackiw on violin and Yoonah Kim on clarinet playing Schubert and Strauss in November; Abigel Kralik on violin, Jeroen Berwaerts on trumpet, and Mak Grgic on guitar playing Beethoven and Bach in January; Edward Aaron and Jeewon Park playing Mendelssohn and Gershwin in February; Amy Schwartz Moretti and string all-stars playing Chausson and Vivaldi in March; and vocalist Indra Thomas, Alison Shearer on saxophone, and Eriko Daimo on marimba playing Debussy and Puccini in April.
There are also some exciting new opportunities coming this way.
Growing the next-generation audience
Early in the fall, Armstrong will ask area music teachers to integrate Youth Concert composers and artists into their classes and then bring their music to vivid and meaningful life for area youth gathering at the Arts Center at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, for a rousing hour of uninterrupted music and discussion about the magic classical music can bring into our lives: a gift we never grow too old to enjoy.
Celebrating emerging artists
Spotlighting the success of Amy Schwartz Moretti’s program at the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, we have Moretti leading a small chamber orchestra of her all-star strings in a program of Vivaldi’s “Winter” and “Spring” and other favorites on March 9, 2025.
Expanding the classical repertoire
We celebrate the world premieres of new compositions by our own Armstong at the piano on February 16, 2025, and by saxophonist Alison Shearer, who wowed us with her composition for seven musicians “Apollosis” last spring. She seeks to do so again, this time with a piece for alto sax, marimba, voice, and piano on April 6, 2025.
Offering new venues, finding new friends
At 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 27, St. Marks in Port Royal will host a free recital with Armstrong at the piano. On Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 3 p.m., USC Beaufort in Bluffton will host a free concert with Jackiw, Kim, and Armstrong.
As we conclude the season, let’s dispel the image that classical music is only for stuffy high-brows in concert halls by meeting our artists on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Bay Street’s Saltus River Grill. Enjoy alto sax, keyboard, marimba, and vocals as we gather for drinks at 5 p.m.
As we enjoy our way to USCB Chamber Music’s 50th anniversary, let’s allow ourselves and our artists to dream big and to make brilliant music for as many and as varied an audience in as many venues as we can muster. Our future and the music we bring to our community are only as limited as our vision and willingness to explore the possibilities together.
Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this fabulous season. Go on-line at www.uscbchamermusic.com for complete information and to purchase tickets or call Staci Breton at 843-208-8246.
