CELEBRATE 15!

We began as a group of friends self-presenting the kind of concerts we wanted to go to, and with your help, created an institution that presents classical music in a way that celebrates the past and expands into the future with creative, innovative, inclusive programs.

At first, we had a limited amount of musicians on stage at a time, building our reserves to grow. In 2010 we programmed our first "big" piece, Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet by the French impressionist composer, Maurice Ravel. Performing this sweeping, luscious piece felt like a milestone for our fledgling organization. And it was. We've performed it several times since, and every time it feels big and it holds the music holds special place in our hearts.

We're bringing it back for our CELEBRATE concert! Here are some pictures from that first performance of the Ravel at The Chapel Venue.

ravel introduction and allegro at the chapel in 2010

A pillar of our organization is presenting music by identities historically excluded from the concert stage, placing them along side their contemporaries, where they belong. A composer that we have deeply enjoyed getting to know is Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, an Afro-British man who lived and composed in the late Romantic style (late 1800's-early 1900's). During his life he was celebrated but quickly forgotten by most after his death.

We’re performing the first movement of his Clarinet Quintet which showcases his sweeping melodies and rich dramatic style and is easily one of our favorites to perform!

samuel coleridge-taylor

cpstl Clarinet quintet performance at the ethical society