Impromptu Classical Concerts Opens 2015 with Salute to Vera Schiff

With season upon us, Impromptu Classical Concerts announces its much-anticipated 43nd season of inspired chamber music performances. In the recent past, Impromptu Classical Concerts were held exclusively at St. Paul’s Church on Duval Street. During the 2014 season, the cultural organization spread it’s wings, concertizing at the San Carlos Institute, as well as St Paul’s Church. Mixing the music venues proved so successful, the concerts will continue to be held at both locations. All concerts are Sundays at 4:00 p.m.

This year, Impromptu Classical Concerts salutes much beloved Honorable Board Member Vera Schiff as the organizations “Unsung hero”. Ms. Schiff – well-known as Key West’s very own indomitable Auntie Mame – will be honored at the annual Community Foundation of The Florida Keys (CFFK) Unsung Hero Awards Luncheon on January 30th.

ICC Board Members are unanimous in their praise for Ms. Schiff: “Impromptu Concerts is in great shape financially – thanks to financial dynamo Vera Schiff. Vera raised our fund-raising to a fine art. With stylish entertainments in her home, she created a solid Impromptu Classical Concerts bank account to help us buy our own piano, and afford our increasingly talented and expensive performers.”

Impromptu Classical Concerts Board President Lillian VanHest describes the six upcoming programs: “This 2015 concert series is especially outstanding in every way. Presenting different parts of a full orchestra you will hear brass, wind (saxophone), violin, viola, cello, percussion, flute, oboe, bassoon and horns, all up close with all the intimacy of a very private audience. We have maintained the affordability and still offer free admission to all students. This could not be possible without the generosity of our donor’s, subscriber’s and advertiser’s.”

Saxophone player Ashu opens the series on Sunday, January 4th at St. Paul’s Church. Ashu will be accompanied by pianist Kuang-Hao Huang. While most audiences have never heard the saxophone in concert music, Ashu has begun to change this. With a dynamic style that captivates general as well as classical audiences, he has shown that the concert saxophone can reach beyond stylistic categorization to a large diversity of people.

San Carlos Institute is the venue on January 25th for Classical Jam. Known for its engaging style and creative concert programming, Classical Jam is a collaborative chamber ensemble uniting acclaimed soloists and chamber musicians. The ensemble includes Wendy Law (cello), Justin Hines (percussion), Marco Granados (flute), Cyrus Beroukhim (violin/viola) and Jennifer Choi (violin).

Solo pianist Michael Brown – declared a “piano visionary” by the New York Times – brings his youthful virtuosity to St. Paul’s Church on Sunday, February 8th. Winner of the Julliard Concerto Competition, Michael Brown has performed with the Julliard Orchestra conducted by Alan Gilbert, the New York Philharmonic’s distinguished Music Director.

Two weeks later, February 22nd, The Parker Quartet takes the stage at San Carlos Institute. The Quartet, all graduates from the New England Conservatory of Music, was founded and is currently based in Boston. In addition to their full-time residency at Harvard, they also continue their visiting residency status at the University of South Carolina. All strings – violin, viola and cello – the Parker Quartet is one of the preeminent ensembles of its generation.

Brooklyn, New York is known for its bridge, Coney Island, Nathan’s hot dogs and Project Trio. Three talented, high-energy young men, Peter Seymour (double bass), Greg Pattillo (flute), and Eric Stephenson (cello), “combine the fire and refinement of the finest classical chamber ensembles with the stage presences and energy of rock stars”. Project trio performs at San Carlos Institute on Sunday, March 8th.

Impromptu Classical Concert’s season closes at St. Paul’s Church on March 22nd with an exciting chamber ensemble, Decoda – “A new collective of some of the brightest young classical musicians in the world…” The ensemble’s instruments will include clarinet, oboe, bassoon, horn and piano. Decoda has the honor to be the first-ever Affiliate Ensemble of Carnegie Hall.

Concert tickets are $20 at the door one hour before the performance, by calling: 305.745.2283, or online: Keystix.com or classicalconcertskw.com. Season subscription pass (6 concerts) – $100. Subscription passes can be used for all concerts or for multiple guests at one or more concerts. All students free.