Redifing Artistic Participation
The Ritz Chamber Players have brought together some of the world’s preeminent musicians, spanning the African diaspora, to change the “face” of the traditional classical music ensemble and open a window into the spirit and brilliance of African-American classical musicians worldwide. Hailed by The Baltimore Sun as “one of the most interesting and dynamic ensembles to emerge in recent years,” its members have performed with prestigious orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra and the London Symphony. The Ritz Chamber Players, combining veteran artists with rising young prodigies, allow for many combinations of virtuoso performers, leading to “riveting” performances of new works by African-American composers and the standard classical music repertoire.
The Ritz Chamber Players made their début concert at New York’s Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall to a standing room only crowd, their international radio début on the BBC World Service and WYNC New York with a concert broadcast to more than 40 countries, and their first national television appearance on the 37th Annual NAACP Image Awards. The Ritz Chamber Players have been guests on National Public Radio’s, “The Tavis Smiley Show,” and are regular guests of the Madison and Amelia Island Chamber Music Festivals.
