The Ritz Chamber Players Return To Atlanta

ATLANTA - Nov. 12, 2014 - PRLog -- On Saturday, November 22, 2014, world renowned chamber ensemble the Ritz Chamber Players (RCP) will return to Atlanta for their 2014-2015 concert series, held at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College, at 8pm. The Ritz Chamber Players has partnered with Morehouse College to house a full concert series at the prestigious center in order to build greater awareness and exposure to chamber music in the community. Their debut concerts this past spring, was well attended by the community and students of Morehouse College and marked the beginning of their continued partnership with the institution.

Founded in 2002, by clarinetist and Artistic Director Terrance Patterson, the Ritz Chamber Players (RCP), is a nonprofit organization that has presented various landmark subscription series at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts in Jacksonville, Florida, combining exceptional artistry on stage with inspiring educational programs in schools and throughout the community. Since its inception, RCP’s concert series in Jacksonville and performances across the United States continue to build the participation of multicultural audiences that reflect our diverse society. This ideal is the reason for their partnership with Morehouse College. “The cultural partnership of the department of music at Morehouse College with the Ritz Chamber Players is a major step toward advancing the presence of rich artistic and educational experiences within the metro Atlanta community,” states Morehouse Music Department Chair, Dr. Uzee Brown. This season, each concert will be themed highlighting works of past and current composers. Upcoming concert dates for the season include: “Ties That Bind: From Swastika to Jim Crow” January 24, 2015; “Tragedy Towards Peace” February 19, 2015; and “Spring Spectacular” May 9, 2015.

In addition to this year’s concert season, the Ritz Chamber Players are committed to their community outreach programs. Where Culture and Community Converge is a phrase symbolizing the role that the RCP has played in providing audiences with a visual reference of accomplished musicians of African descent. However, more than simply performing music, RCP works to advance the principle that the creative arts are essential to the development of students from all socio-economic backgrounds; by giving them the opportunity to express themselves creatively in music. Through recent successful partnerships with outreach organizations in Atlanta such as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program and Atlanta Music Project (AMP), RCP will continue to provide workshops throughout the community including master classes at Morehouse College. As expressed by RCP Founder, Terrance Patterson, “The opportunity to conduct and cultivate these workshops is truly remarkable. We are thrilled with the chance to give back to the community and students of Atlanta.”

The first concert will be “Brahms Sonic Splendor” as the theme, which will include compositions: HOLLAND Piano Trio Commissioned by the Ritz Chamber Players, on the occasion of the opening of "Flow", an exhibition of works by Radcliffe Bailey at the Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art. SPOHR Six German Lieder for Soprano, Clarinet, and Piano SAINT-SAËNS Fantaisie for Violin and Harp, Op. 124 BRAHMS Piano Trio in B Major, Op. 8.  Featured players for this concert include: Ann Hobson-Pilot (harp), Alison Buchanan (soprano), Terrence Wilson (piano), Kelly Hall-Tompkins (violin) and Tahirah Whittington (cello). The concert is free and open to the public. Monetary donations are welcome at the concert. Funds will be used to provide more educational outreach programs for the organization’s visits in various schools throughout the country. Ray Charles Performing Arts Center location: 830 Westview Drive, SW Atlanta, GA 30314. For more information about the Ritz Chamber Players and concert details, please visit: www.ritzchamberplayers.org.