Dive In – Farewell – and Welcome

We are chomping at the bit to get back to performing for you….in person! Last season was, as they say, one like no other. This season will be that as well. While this year we will have to abandon our cabaret-style in the interest of safety, you will enjoy the glorious acoustic of the Sheldon Concert Hall in a comfortable socially distanced seating plan.

As you read this, there will be about one week until we open our 2021-22 Season with “Water Music” on Monday and Tuesday October 11 & 12. That leaves you just enough time to SUBSCRIBE, if you have not already, and get your seats set for the season….HINT HINT.

With this concert title, I’m pretty sure it won’t surprise you that the we will be performing music having to do with water. I also suspect that it will not surprise you that a prominent piece on this program is music from Handel’s iconic audience favorite, Water Music… his Suite #3 in G Major. What may surprise you is that you will also hear a work by Missouri’s own Scott Joplin and it has a connection to St. Louis. We will perform a couple of lovely pieces by Debussy, Chopin and Amy Beach that you may not know… but the program closer…..another icon of the chamber repertoire…Schubert’s monumental Trout Quintet, will undoubtedly be familiar.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Alvin McCall for his dedication and service as CMSSL Education Coordinator. This summer Alvin has informed us that he wished to step down after years of excellent administration of our education programs. Alvin so generously gave his personal warmth, skills and time to nurture students participating in our Master Class Series and Young Artist Chamber Program. We say farewell to Alvin but welcome Alvin’s successor as Education Coordinator, Adrian Walker. Alvin and Adrian worked together over the summer to effect a smooth transition and we started off with a successful Violin Master Class last week. Of course, Alvin will still be with us performing as a cellist. Thank you Alvin!

Lastly, please remember that, like most of the arts venues in St. Louis, the Sheldon requires anyone aged 12 or older, attending a ticketed event at The Sheldon, will be asked to show proof of full vaccination OR a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours before time of entry into the event. CLICK HERE for the complete Sheldon Vaccination and Testing Policy.

See you when we DIVE into the 2021-22 Season with “Water Music” next Monday and Tuesday,
Marc

Marc Gordon
Executive & Artistic Director
Chamber Music Society of St. Louis