ABOUT
USCB
CHAMBER
MUSIC
From its founding in 1979 by USCB Art History Professor Mary Whisonant, USCB Chamber Music has presented internationally renowned artists such as pianists Jean Yves Thibaudet, Richard Goode, and Jeewon Parks; violinists Joshua Bell, Robert McDuffie, Tessa Lark, James Ehnes, Keven Zhu and Stefan Jackiw; and flautists Paula Robison and Ransom Wilson; cellists Carter Bray, Ani Aznavoorian, Alice Yoo, Rafe Bell, Jan Volger, and Edward Arron; the Brooklyn Rider, Emerson, Tokyo, St. Lawrence, and Ehnes String Quartets.
Following Professor Whisonant’s retirement, Harriet Keyserling prevailed upon the legendary Charles Wadsworth to assume directorship and bring to Beaufort the chamber music riches he had unearthed for New York’s Lincoln Center and Charleston’s Spoleto. At that time Mr. Wadsworth had been entertaining audiences by providing informative and lively introductions of artists and compositions and his inimitable style at the piano for over thirty years. A world-class raconteur as well as musician, he was a favorite with audiences across the US and Europe. In fact, he has been credited by some with saving the art form of chamber music from extinction.
During his two-decade tenure in Beaufort, he drew many new fans to USCB Chamber Music. Local audiences became accustomed to inventive programming and the very best young talent the world had to offer. The Lowcountry was blessed beyond what one would expect in this out-of-the-way spot. It was with great sadness that the Beaufort community learned of Mr. Wadsworth death this past season. There is no doubt but that he set us on the path that led us to the Series first ever subscribers-only, sold-out season, and we are forever indebted to him.
​
Cellist Edward Arron spent two years assisting Mr. Wadsworth, getting to know the Lowcountry audience, and allowing the audience to enjoy his artistry and thoughtful commentary and to appreciate his connectivity to the most significant young artists playing and composing chamber music. As one of those significant young artists himself and as the Artistic Director for the Metropolitan Museum’s Artists in Concert Series for ten seasons, he was uniquely qualified to take the reins and ensure the continued high standards of the concerts. For a dozen brilliant years, Mr. Arron brought extraordinary talent to the stage at the Arts Center. Having helped us celebrate our 40th anniversary season, he felt it was time to pass the baton. Once again he reached for the stars and introduced USCB Chamber Music to its present Artistic Director--the very talented and delightfully engaging pianist Andrew Armstrong. In the midst of the pandemic, through every new restriction and variant, these two managed to continue offering concerts to our artists and our audiences…not missing a beat.
With financial stability established by the Endowment and the constancy of our Friends and subscribers, even COVID did not stop our forward movement; we were able to continue the five-concert seasons when major venues around the country were dark. We found a brilliant videographer and were able to offer both limited-live seating and virtual concerts, keeping our artists engaged and employed and our core audience intact. Because virtual options expand our audience to those who cannot attend in person, we shall continue them as long as it is financially possible. We are pleased to welcome back virtual audience members from Charleston’s Bishop Gadsden and the Woodlands at Furman for another season.
Increased subscriptions and donations in recent years have made greater investment in our artists and instruments possible In October 2022 USCB Chamber Music made a huge commitment to the future of the Series with the purchase of our very own 9-foot Steinway concert grand. Miss Flora lifted the music played with a piano during the past three seasons and has raised the expectations for all the music to be played with the piano in the upcoming season and beyond, and no one knows it better than our own extraordinary pianist.
With 8 consecutive sold-out concerts under our belt, we head into our first-ever sold-out-by-subscription season (thank you all) with the brilliant violinist Kevin Zhu, who wowed us several years ago with an incredible piece by Paganini on his Strad, and Andy once again creating musical magic to open the Season in November. In the new year, we’ll enjoy more fine strings with Stefan Jackiw on violin and Rafe Bell on cello. Our third Youth Concert will close out February on Saturday, the 28th at 3, with a hall full of young people and a stage full of talent: Maria Ioudenitch, Blake Pouliot, Edward Arron, Matthew Lipman, and 4 brilliant graduates of Amy Schwartz Moretti’s strings program at Mercer. On Sunday they will debut the brilliant Mendelssohn piano octet for our Series. In late March, we’ll welcome Jeewon Park and Ani Aznavoorian. Jeewon and Andy will require all that Miss Flora has to give with four-hand and solo pieces, and Ani and Shostakovich may bring down the house. Concluding the season in late April with Bach and Brahms will be the amazing Ryan Corbett on the accordion and the delightful Yoonah Kim on the clarinet.
Considering that this Series began when USCB was a poorly funded, two-year branch campus of USC with avocado green shag carpet in Beaufort College and Professor Whisonant not only the artistic director, but also the ticket seller, airport taxi, caterer, and donor seeker and that there was a time when cutting back on Mr. Wadsworth’s concerts in favor of less “pure” forms of musical performances was threatening the continuation of the Series as we know it, we can all be relieved and proud that this community insisted on the best and still has music and artists coming five times each year that make us the cultural envy of much larger, much wealthier, and much less fortunate towns and cities. For that the University is grateful to all who subscribe and support Chamber Music so generously.
