Chamber Music Society 10th Anniversary Gala Honors Leonard Slatkin 5/21/18

The Chamber Music Society of St. Louis (CMSSL) is pleased to announce "Notes From Hollywood - The Sequel" their Tenth Anniversary Gala celebrating Leonard Slatkin on May 21, 2018 in the Sheldon Concert Hall at 7pm. This program will continue the "Notes From Hollywood" theme from the 2013 St. Louis and 2014 Chicago performances, featuring an evening of chamber music written by award winning Hollywood film composers. In addition to the musical entertainment, Slatkin will share stories about the music and composers, many of whom were regular visitors in the Slatkin home when he was growing up in Los Angeles.

CMSSL's Executive and Artistic Director, Marc Gordon, is "delighted to honor St. Louis icon Leonard Slatkin for his fifty-year connection with St. Louis, the accolades he has brought to our city, the Slatkin family history here and the high esteem in which he is held by St. Louisans."

Slatkin's connection to St. Louis has brought much positive attention to the city, starting with his role as the St. Louis Symphony's Music Director on their first European tour in 1982, which garnered rave reviews. Under his leadership Time magazine proclaimed the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra as one of the two best orchestras in America in 1983, and they won their first Grammy Award in 1985. Leonard served as SLSO Music Director from 1979-1996 and was subsequently named St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Conductor Laureate. He remains a fan of such St. Louis institutions as the Cardinals, Ted Drewes and Fitz's, all of which were represented at his farewell concert as the Symphony's Music Director at Powell Hall in 1996.

Maestro Slatkin's ties to our city began with his father, Felix Slatkin, who was born in St. Louis and served as an Assistant Concertmaster in the St. Louis Symphony in the 1930's. He would later gain notoriety as Concertmaster for the 20th Century Fox studio orchestra in Hollywood, Frank Sinatra's Concertmaster/Conductor and co-founder of the Hollywood String Quartet.

Hosts for the gala include Honorary Chairman Noémi K. Neidorff, Event Co-Chairs Thomas R. and Carol J. Voss and Host Committee Co-Chairs Miran Halen and Mary Forsyth. VIP packages for the event will be available and include valet parking, pre-concert cocktails, preferred concert seating, a post-concert dinner by Butler's Pantry and a copy of Slatkin's book "Leading Tones". Tickets for the concert portion only of the event will also be available. Gala tickets go on sale later this year.

CMSSL's ninth season continues with "'Great'ful Dead Hits... Composers, That Is" on November 13 and 14. An international array of musical offerings will continue throughout their 2017-18 season in the Sheldon Ballroom (3648 Washington Blvd., Grand Center, St. Louis, MO 63108) on Monday and Tuesday evenings at 7:30 PM (unless otherwise noted). Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now and information is available online or by phone at 314-941-6309. CMSSL performances are also part of the Concert Pass Collaborative program for students.

In addition to performances, CMSSL offers programs to further educate area musicians. The Master Class Series offers students the chance to prepare and perform solo and chamber works, guided by a CMSSL artist. The CMSSL and The Community Music School of Webster University's Preparatory Program have partnered for the Young Artists Chamber Program, which nurtures the next generation of chamber music ensembles. Both programs are free and open to qualified St. Louis area students. Visit chambermusicstl.org for more information.

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