BEAUTIFUL MUSIC IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL
BY SHALEEN DESTEFANO
As long time fans of classical and symphony music, we have had Friends of Chamber Music on our radar for quite some time. We recently sat down with Director of Operations, Desiree Parrott-Alcorn to learn more about their quest to share this timeless style of music far and wide.
Friends of Chamber Music has been bringing the world’s finest chamber music to the Denver metropolitan area since 1954. Can you give us a glimpse into your backstory?
In 1954, a group of musicians, music lovers, and business people created an organization devoted to promoting chamber music in the Denver area. That organization, Friends of Chamber Music (FCM) enters its 71st season this year!
First presenting world-class chamber music at Phipps Auditorium, FCM quickly captivated audiences, growing from 250 enthusiasts to sold-out crowds of 950. After Phipps Auditorium was converted to an IMAX theater in 1981, FCM navigated several relocations. In 2003 we moved to Gates Concert Hall in the University of Denver’s newly constructed Newman Center for the Performing Arts. This transition provided an ideal venue, with outstanding acoustics, aligning with the organization’s vision of offering world-class musical experiences.
FCM fills a unique niche in Denver’s cultural landscape as the only organization consistently presenting a season of chamber music performances by internationally known ensembles and soloists. These distinguished artists attract audiences to Denver from up and down the Front Range, as well as from as far away as Summit and Eagle Counties. Our creative and diverse performances, encompassing Baroque music to contemporary works, are significant dates on the Denver musical calendar.
We love that you deliberately seek out diverse and thought-provoking performances from beloved classical works to bold new compositions, with the idea in mind to ultimately shatter the idea of Chamber Music for curious, potential audience members. What can we expect from this upcoming season?
The 2024-25 season includes much-anticipated return performances by the Danish String Quartet, Miró Quartet, and Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble, as well as debut performances by pianists Tony Siqi Yun and Awadagin Pratt, violinist Benjamin Beilman, saxophonist Steven Banks, and Quartetto de Cremona with local favorite and Principal Violist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Basil Vendryes.
FCM understands the importance of diversity and inclusivity as we work to be both relevant and accessible to new audiences. The upcoming season represents our ongoing efforts to present the voices of historically under-represented artists in the classical music community. This commitment is seen in both the artists featured on our series as well as in three new works commissioned in part by Friends of Chamber Music, all written by BIPOC composers.
• Soprano Karen Slack will premiere African Queens, which celebrates the history and legacy of seven African queens. Created by a group of composers called “The Blacknificent Seven.” (October 2, 2024)
• The Dover Quartet will premiere a new work for string quartet by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma, as well as a work by contemporary Black composer Jessie Montgomery, Strum. (November 17, 2024)
• The Miró Quartet will premiere a new work, “What’s Old is New,” by saxophonist and composer Steven Banks, with Banks joining the quartet for the premiere. (May 14, 2025)
Not only will we feature these artists and composers in formal performances in Gates Concert Hall, but we will also take our programming into the community with two free programs designed to reach diverse communities in their own neighborhoods.
FCM was recently approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $10,000. This grant will support the Colorado premiere of African Queens, performed by world-renowned soprano Karen Slack. Can you tell us more about this performance?
This brilliantly curated program, featuring music by both African and American composers, represents vocal works of the past and present. Each song reflects the beauty, humility, passion, and power of each Queen being celebrated. The evening is centered around eight new songs written for Karen by some of today’s most acclaimed composers—Jasmine Barnes, Damien Geter, Jessie Montgomery, Shawn Okpebholo, Dave Ragland, Carlos Simon, and Joel Thompson.
Soprano Karen Slack’s African Queens project was born “out of the frustration of not being able to tell the stories I wanted to tell.” Slack wanted to sing the unsung: the stories of African queens, ferocious warriors, and leaders of nations, who had been undervalued, misunderstood, or forgotten. She realized that if she wanted to sing in programs centered around these women’s stories, she would have to generate the programs herself. “You don’t wait for someone to give you the opportunity,” Slack underlines: “You create it.”
“Projects like the one Friends of Chamber Music is undertaking exemplify the creativity and care with which communities are telling their stories, creating connections, and responding to challenges and opportunities in their communities—all through the arts,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “So many aspects of our communities such as cultural vitality, health and wellbeing, infrastructure, and the economy are advanced and improved through investments in art and design, and the National Endowment for the Arts is committed to ensuring people across the country benefit.”
On Tuesday, October 1, Friends of Chamber Music will partner with RedLine Contemporary Art Center for “Stories Underscored.” This free event will include a panel discussion with soprano Karen Slack, composers Carlos Simon and Dave Ragland, and a resident artist from RedLine. 6:00 PM, RedLine Contemporary Art Center, 2350 Arapahoe Street, Denver.
FCM serves an impressive amount of Denver Public School students each year through free performances and master classes. How does this program work and can our audience get involved?
We have been invested in education for more than 30 years, knowing that when young people have the opportunity to engage with the arts, they do better in life. FCM is also aware of the inequities in our public education system and prioritizes providing high-quality arts programming for underserved youth. In fact, FCM’s greatest reach into underserved communities is through our FREE education programs for elementary school students in Title 1 Denver Public Schools.
With its ability to amaze, inspire, and empower, we believe that no education is complete without music. Unfortunately, many of the low-income schools in Denver are those that most often have little to no arts programming for students. And these inequities have become even more profound over the last four years, thanks to the impact of the pandemic.
We understand the importance of partnering with diverse musicians and educators who are able to reach students with creative and culturally appropriate programming. Music is truly a universal language. We want each student to have the opportunity to experience music, and maybe even pick up an instrument and learn to make music!
Developed in collaboration with local professional musicians, we offer a menu of performance options for school assemblies. From Soundpainting, where students create music in spontaneous and improvisatory ways using unique hand movements, to Can You Hear the Difference, which explores the science of sound, interactive music programs work to inspire a love of music for nearly 4,000 underserved students each year. We also offer several residency programs each year, designed to offer more long-term instruction. Master Classes serve young, advanced musicians with professional coaching, taught by professional musicians who travel to Denver for our series concerts.
For those wanting to get involved, our greatest need is help to spread the word. Let your neighborhood schools know about this opportunity, and encourage them to visit our website, click on “Education,” and complete a simple scheduling form. Financial support is also welcome, allowing us to continue offering these programs free of charge. Visit www.friendsofchambermusic.com, click on “Donate” and designate “Educational Outreach Programs.”
You believe in the power of community and make a point to bring the music outside of the chamber hall. Can you tell us more about this initiative?
We believe the beauty of chamber music should be shared throughout our community — that’s why we have a number of opportunities planned with the goal of expanding our audience, especially younger and more diverse patrons. A long-term partnership with the Clyfford Still Museum offers free Sunday afternoon concerts, pairing live music with contemporary art. Our annual free family concert allows parents a unique family-friendly experience for their young maestros.
We are particularly proud of our commitment to marginalized and underserved audiences. In the past, we have presented concerts in a variety of venues including the Gathering Place, the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility, Florence Crittenton Services, Centro San Juan Diego, the Rocky Mountain VA Medical Center, El Sistema Colorado and the Denver Rescue Mission.
How do you see FCM evolving in the future?
Over the years, we have enjoyed the support of a loyal patron base, and we would like to grow it, cherishing our existing subscribers and adding new ones, both longtime chamber music lovers and those not as familiar with the beauty and joy of classical music.
FCM has been a champion of the celebrated chamber canon, presenting, for example, the Beethoven cycle and also a champion of new compositions. This duality, honoring the past while welcoming new voices, is the future of chamber music and FCM is thrilled to be in the forefront of this exciting evolution. We have recently institutionalized our support for new work, launching our Commissioning Initiative, and we look forward to sponsoring new work by up-and-coming and established composers.
Finally, FCM is keenly aware of the growing inclusivity of chamber music and proud to present renowned ensembles and musicians that reflect this wonderful trend. The future of chamber music is bright and we are excited to be part of it!
If you would like to learn more about FCMs upcoming concert series, how to become a member or get involved in their community education and outreach programs, visit friendsofchambermusic.com.