Chris Constanza plays the cello at The McKnight Center's inaugural chamber music festival.

The McKnight Center’s inaugural chamber music festival is a success

Thursday, April 26, 2018

The McKnight Center’s inaugural Chamber Music Festival left an everlasting impression on all who attended. The musicians performed to Festival patrons at five concerts, including a Family and Youth Concert during the teacher walkout, three intimate soiree performances across Central Oklahoma and one free community concert at the Seretean Center at Oklahoma State University. The musicians also conducted master classes during the week for students at OSU.

Anna-Marie McDermott performs on the piano during The McKnight Center's inaugural chamber music festival.

The Festival began with a sponsor reception in Stillwater at the home of Bret and Amy Jameson. Audiences were thrilled to hear such talent coming from the stages at the Philbrook Museum in Tulsa, Francee and Jeff Humes’ home in Oklahoma City as well as in the Seretean Center and Willard Hall on the campus of OSU. Programs ranged from Mozart to Gershwin to Beethoven to Dvorak, all played to perfection.

Famed concert pianist and chamber musician Anne-Marie McDermott was this year’s Festival artistic director and will be returning next year with a new roster of inspiring artists. McDermott’s career spans more than 25 years as a soloist and collaborator. With over 50 concerti in her repertoire, Ms. McDermott has performed with many leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Mexico among many others. She is also a member of the Chamber Music Society at Lincoln Center.

The McKnight Center would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the sponsors that supported this triumphant artistic event:

Festival Sponsors - Billie & Ross McKnight, Dick & Malinda Fischer and John & Cheryl Clerico
Presenting Sponsors - OSU President’s Office/OSU Foundation and AJ & Susan Jacques
Virtuoso Sponsors - Helen Hodges, Rae & Mike Hyatt and Brian Hobbs & Mark Sarno
Principal Sponsors - John & Caroline Linehan, Terri & Brett Carver, Kim & Kirk Hilbig, BankSNB, Kathleen & Joe Porter, Oklahoma Gazette, First National Bank of Oklahoma and Vickie & Joe Hall
Player Sponsors - Deb & David Engle, Carolyn Gang & Edward Noltensmeyer, Stephen & Patty Armbruster, Chuck & Lana Van Cleave, Bob & Diane Graalman, Caroline Crain, Mark & Sarah Blakeman, Judi Baker, Ann & Jim Halligan, Nigel Jones, Sydney Reding, Lou & Wes Watkins, Claudia & Bart Bartlett, Rodette & Rick Green, Carol & Tom Stewart, Pam & Joe Martin and Patti & Joe Weaver.

For more information on all upcoming programming including the 2019 Chamber Music Festival, please visit www.McKnightCenter.org.