SFP believes in life-long education. Many of our programs inform and enlighten adult audiences who seek to learn more about what they experience in the concert hall. By offering a variety of venues and atmospheres, we ensure that there is a performance out there for anyone to enjoy:
Music Historian-in-Residence Robert Greenberg, and Ensemble-in-Residence the Alexander String Quartet, bring the chamber music repertory alive in these Saturday morning explorations. Each session features Greenberg’s fast-paced, entertaining lectures, complete with musical illustrations, followed by full performances of each work by the Alexander Quartet.
Past seasons have featured complete works by Beethoven, Bartok and Shostakovich.
2008–09 Saturday Morning Series:
Music Historian-in-Residence Robert Greenberg’s insightful solo lectures and his interactive collaborations with other artists bring a new twist to music appreciation. See what Bob has in store this season.
Join us on December 6 and 7 for a centenary celebration dedicated to composer Elliott Carter. Music Historian-in-Residence Robert Greenberg unlocks Carter’s work and leads a cadre of Carter specialist in the exploration of the compelte string quartets and piano works.
Many artists on SFP’s mainstage series appear at the Community Music Center in free Concerts with Conversation. These unique gatherings give local community members an opportunity to hear exceptional artists in an informal setting and talk with them about their work. Audiences of all ages and backgrounds share in these enthusiastic performances.
October 9: Paula West
December 10: Alisa Weilerstein
February 6: Fred Hersch
March 16: Curtis on Tour
April 17: Jonathan Biss
These performances harken back to the days when artists performed in intimate spaces for a small group of friends. Artists talk about the music they perform, sharing insights into how programs are developed and how careers are formed. Audiences learn about music in a convivial atmosphere where questions and discussion are encouraged. These informal, after-work events last just one hour, and drinks may be purchased in the hotel bar before each concert. See the current Salon series listing.
Occasionally, SFP collaborates with artists to present workshops or seminars designed to enrich audiences’ experience with the performing arts. Two notable recent examples are the contemporary music workshop with violinist Midori (see a video) in Spring 2006 and the series of amateur master classes with soprano Barbara Bonney (see a video).