Missouri Chamber Music Festival facts for kids
The Missouri Chamber Music Festival (MOCM) started in 2010. It's a special event that brings amazing small group music to everyone. Think of it as a concert series where talented musicians play together. The festival also has a program called the Adult Chamber Music Intensive (ACMI). This is like a music camp for grown-ups. They get to learn and play with the festival's professional musicians.
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History of the Festival
The Missouri Chamber Music Festival and ACMI began in 2010. It was created by two musicians, Scott Andrews and Nina Ferrigno. The first festival concerts happened in June 2011. Many important music leaders help guide MOCM. These include people like Gil Rose from the Boston Modern Orchestra Project and David Robertson from the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Meet the Festival Directors
Scott Andrews, Clarinet
Scott Andrews has been the main clarinet player for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra since 2005. He is a very popular musician who plays with many groups and as a solo artist. Before joining the Saint Louis Symphony, Scott played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra for 11 years. He has also performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Scott used to lead the woodwind section at the Boston Conservatory. He also teaches at the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts. He often plays with Seiji Ozawa in Japan. Scott studied music at the New England Conservatory of Music.
Nina Ferrigno, Piano
Nina Ferrigno is a talented pianist. She performs in big concert halls all over North America. Nina has played with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops Orchestra. She has also recorded music for albums. Nina has performed at many music festivals, including Tanglewood and Banff. She also graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music. Nina is one of the founding members of the Calyx Piano Trio. She loves to bring classical music to new people. She does this by playing and asking for new music to be written.
Festival Events
Each June, the MOCM Festival holds several concerts. These include three evening concerts and one morning concert. For example, in 2020, concerts were planned for June 15, 17, 19, and 22. They take place at different places in the St. Louis, Missouri area.
The Adult Chamber Music Intensive (ACMI) is a week-long workshop. It's for adults who play musical instruments. In 2020, the ACMI workshop was held from June 22-28. It took place at the Community Music School of Webster University.
Other fun events are also planned throughout the year. These might include a Trivia Night or special preview concerts. Sometimes, private concerts are held in people's homes.
Past Festival Programs (2019)
Here are some of the musical pieces played at the 2019 Festival concerts:
June 17, 2019
- Borodin - String Trio in G minor (for 2 violins and cello)
- Ligeti - Six Bagatelles for Woodwind Quintet
- Janacek - Mladi for Woodwind Sextet
- Smetana - String Quartet No. 1, "From My Life"
June 19, 2019
- Debussy - Premiere rhapsodie for clarinet and piano
- Debussy - Piano Trio in G Major
- Debussy - Sonata No.1 for cello and piano
- Debussy - Sonata No. 2 for violin and piano
June 20, 2019
- Lash - Around
- Dvorak - Piano Trio No. 4, Op. 90, Dumky
June 22, 2019
- Lash - Start, for solo snare drum
- Schumann - Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17 (arranged by Lash)
- Lash - Folksongs for flute, percussion, and harp
- Lash - Frayed for String Quartet
- Debussy - Sonata for flute, viola, and harp
Festival Musicians
Many talented musicians played at the 2019 MOCM season. They included:
- Harpist and composer Hannah Lash
- Flutist Jennifer Nitchman
- Oboist Jelena Dirks
- Bass clarinetist Tzuying Huang
- Bassoonist Andrew Cuneo
- Horn player Roger Kaza
- Percussionist Michael Compitello
- Pianist Mia Hynes
- Violinists Catherine French, Eva Kozma, and Angie Smart
- Violists Michael Casimir and Chris Tantillo
- Cellists Elizabeth Chung and Jennifer Lucht
- The Calyx Piano Trio
- And the MOCM Festival Directors, Scott Andrews (clarinet) and Nina Ferrigno (piano).
Festival Locations
In 2019, Festival concerts were held at the First Congregational Church of Webster Groves. They also took place at the 560 Music Center of Washington University.
For 2020, concerts were planned for the First Congregational Church of Webster Groves (June 15 and 19). Also, the 560 Music Center of Washington University (June 17) and the Graham Chapel at Washington University (June 22).
The ACMI workshop is held at the Community Music School at Webster University in Webster Groves, Missouri.
More Information
Want to learn more? Check out these articles:
- Intimate spaces give audience an edge at Missouri Chamber Music Festival. St. Louis Post-Dispatch June 2018
- 2017 Radio Interview, St. Louis Public Radio
- Great trios at the Missouri Chamber Music Festival. St. Louis Post-Dispatch June 2015
- Best Chamber Music Festival. St. Louis Post-Dispatch July 2014
- Missouri Chamber Music Festival takes a satisfying journey. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 2014
- Missouri Chamber Music Festival presents grand finale at the Sheldon. St. Louis Public Radio, June 2014
- Missouri Chamber Music Festival returns for a fourth season. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 2014
- Missouri Chamber Music Festival features Stravinsky and Schubert. St. Louis Beacon, June 2013
- Missouri Chamber Music Festival celebrates Schubert and Stravinsky. St. Louis Public Radio, June 2013
