If the answer is yes, check out our tips to catch the free and amazingly low cost opportunities that every lover, student and fan of chamber music should know about.
World Renowned!
The New York Philharmonic recently announced it’s 2016-2017 season of Off the Grid, a pop-up concert series put on by NY PHIL Off the Grid in secret and unexpected places. You can enter a lottery for either one or two tickets that are free, but limited and, if chosen, you will be notified of the time and location 24-hours prior to the event.
And though it’s not free, the Philharmonic has open rehearsals for $20 a ticket. The rehearsals start at 9:45 a.m. and end at approximately 12:30 p.m. It’s a great alternative time to see the Philharmonic and watch the conductor and musicians work together to shape and polish their performance.
Bach is Better at Noon
Another free event is Bach at Noon hosted by Grace Church located in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. During their regular season, which runs September-May you can hear the keyboard works of Johann Sebastian Bach Tuesday through Friday from 12:20 to 12:50. And, during the summer you can catch their weekly performances each Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. The concerts are free, but Grace Church asks attendees to bring a dry good donation to help feed the hungry in NYC.
Merkin Concert Hall at the Kaufman Music Center
If you have a little cash to spare, the Tuesday Matinees at the Merkin Concert Hall cost $60-$90 for a 4-6 series concert subscription. The Tuesday Matinees series presents rising stars from all over the world, many who have won prestigious international prizes and wowed audiences on the stages of major concert halls around the globe. Tuesday Matinees are often sold out in advance and so are recorded for broadcast on WWFM.
Groupmuse = Chamber Music House Concerts with your Friends!
Last, but not least, our new favorite classical music experience is Groupmuse! Founded to present chamber music as it was written to be heard, in a small setting by a group of friends/family rather than in a 1000+ seat concert hall, the organization send quartets, quintets and other groups of classical musicians to people’s home or private venues where individuals host a Groupmuse Meetup. The host can invite only their friends, or they can open the party list to others. Generally it’s spilt down the middle, but either way is okay by the musicians, who are paid by everyone chipping in a minimum of 10 bucks. When RSVPing to a Groupmuse, either hosted friends or a total rando, you are charged $3 on your credit card to ensure the musicians earn SOMETHING even if you flake on the event. Groupmuse is an ingenious way to both employ musicians and to help expose chamber music to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend a classical music event. Even if you aren’t visiting or living in NYC, Groupmuse is something you can bring to your own city! Check out this ingenius concept.
See you on the piano side of the concert hall.
~ By Local Expeditions Team Member Stephanie Schroeder
