Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society concert series

The Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society is excited and pleased to once again be able to offer wonderful concerts this season. RCMS has been offering an annual series of concerts for almost 15 years. In planning this year’s concert series, the RCMS leadership always had in mind that COVID-19 restrictions would have an impact.

Generally, concerts entertain an audience of hundreds but chamber music is performed for a much smaller audience in a more intimate setting. That makes chamber music uniquely situated to continue to entertain audiences during this time of concerns regarding COVID-19. RCMS leadership will be following all guidelines and making the necessary adjustments to ensure the safety and comfort of the performers and the audience. But rest assured, each offering promises to be a rewarding and renewing experience.

The following is the complete RCMS concert series as planned:

Already we have learned that the performers for the first concert, Ensemble 4.1, a woodwind piano quintet, have cancelled their travel plans from Germany. We are exploring options of an online concert or re-scheduling the concert for 2021. Details will be forthcoming.

At 4 p.m. Sunday, January 10, 2021 Robyn Bollinger and Dina Vainshtien will present pieces designed to inspire thoughts of Legacy, Identity, Nostalgia and Innovation with selections from Bach, Monti, Debussy/Hartmann, and Tchaikovsky, among others. This concert is sponsored by Partners in Performance founded by Midori. PiP aims to stimulate local interest in recitals and chamber music, specifically in smaller outlying communities.

The Ariel String Quartet will provide an Homage to Three Heroes on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at 4 p.m. Selections from Mozart, Brahms and a new work by Matan Porat especially commissioned by the Ariel String Quartet promises to make this an interesting and exciting evening.

The ever popular Neave Piano Trio will be back with us on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 4 p.m. delighting us with selections from Schumann, Shostakovich, Ravel and Glinka.

Friday, April 16, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. will again find music lovers in the presence of the Felici Piano Trio as they present selections by Beethoven, Clarke and Mendelssohn/Bartholdy.

The Seraph Brass Quintet will close out the season on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 4 p.m. with a varied program of Greig, Mozart, List and Puccini, among several other notables.

The Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society greatly appreciates the opportunity to present these uplifting programs to the members of the Ridgecrest community especially during these challenging times. In keeping with the RCMS mission, artists will present in-school or online programs for two of our local schools. For elementary students the exposure is perhaps that of a music appreciation experience. For Middle and High School programs the performers actively engage with music students, with an opportunity for students to receive instruction with professional musicians, who deeply value this enriching connection with the youth of our community. As we look forward to the coming season with anticipation, the Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society wishes to extend its thanks to the many dedicated patrons who continue to support the mission of bringing beautiful and inspiring music to the Ridgecrest area. In truth, the dedicated individuals, businesses, and organizations in our community make it possible for us to have world-class chamber music groups perform in Ridgecrest. Tickets are available through Red Rock Books, the Maturango Museum, and at the door. It is still possible to purchase season tickets. For more information, visit our website: http://www.rcchambermusic.org or contact RCMS President, Ralph Mueller, at (760) 977-6065.