The Walden Chamber Music Society

by Mike Rosso

Area fans of quality chamber music need not journey to the big city to hear consummate performances by world-class musicians. They can be found right here in Central Colorado, thanks to the efforts of pianist Jo Boatright and her husband Harvey of Buena Vista, along with a dedicated board of directors who make up the Walden Chamber Music Society (WCMS).

A Colorado native herself, Jo and Harvey Boatright retired to this area from Texas where he was a flutist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) for forty years and she was the co-founder and artistic director of the modern music ensemble, Voices of Change, a Grammy-nominated group who presented concerts of chamber music written by living composers.

After noting the popularity of the Salida/Aspen Concert Series, which are put on every summer, they became convinced the community could support a chamber music series and decided to introduce the WCMS to music lovers in the Upper Arkansas Valley.

For the uninitiated, chamber music is classical music written for smaller groups of instruments originally intended to be performed in a palace chamber. The intimacy of the small group allows the musicians to be easily distinguished from one another and requires special skills on the part of the players because they are so visible.

The WCMS was originally established in Dallas in 1981 by Jo and then principal cellist of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Marion Davies, as well as the minister of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas, John Buehrens. As the church had a large open sanctuary, two Steinway Grand pianos, and was situated near Southern Methodist University, it was considered “an ideal venue for chamber music concerts,” she said. The Society was (and still is) composed of Jo, several of her family members and principal players of the DSO.

Their performances incorporated various combinations of instruments, mostly strings, but often included flute, clarinet, French Horn or oboe, and often singers. For most of the 1990s the Ensemble consisted of piano, violin, viola and cello with the concert master and principal players of the DSO, and was dubbed the Walden Piano Quartet. The name Walden was chosen to honor Walden Pond, made famous by Henry David Thoreau in his book Walden; Or, Life in the Woods. Walden was a Unitarian and the chamber ensemble originated at a Unitarian church.

It was this quartet that first performed for Chaffee County audiences in 2003, but extenuating circumstances for one of the members made it impossible to continue as a set ensemble, so Jo decided to go back to the original format, employing a variety of music and instruments. Since then the Ensemble has been performing quality music to enthusiastic and supportive audiences. “If the same percentage of persons attending our concerts at the SteamPlant Theater were taking place in Dallas, for example, we would have to hire the Cotton Bowl two nights in a row,” she says. In fact, Jo considers audiences here as some of the most appreciative for which she has ever performed.

Other members of the Ensemble who perform regularly here in Colorado with the WCMS include violinists Marie Schleuning (DSO), Jason Erwin, (Texas and Florida orchestras), Bing Wang, (DSO) and Lynda O’Connor, (Ireland) violists Barbara Sudweeks (DSO) and Matt Diekman (San Antonio, Tuscon orchestras) cellist Camilla Bonzo, (Denver free-lancer), Joel Bonzo, double bass, (Denver free-lancer), Jo’s husband Harvey on flute, Eric Barr, oboist (former Principal, DSO), Paul Clarinet, clarinetist (DSO), Gregory Hustis, French horn (Principal, DSO) and Donnie Ray Albert, internationally known dramatic baritone, (Dallas). Others include Christine Schadeberg, mezzo-soprano, nationally known for contemporary compositions (Washington, D.C.), Tina Lovejoy, soprano (opera companies throughout the U.S. who lives in Buena Vista) and Keith Williamson, baritone (Colorado Opera, Colorado Symphony chorus) as well as other guest artists.

The repertoire is chosen by Jo. “First, I gather all the symphony schedules, opera schedules, etc. that the musicians are involved in, then try to select possible dates, see who can come when, then choose the repertoire. Thankfully there is a nearly ‘endless’ repertoire for piano and strings and certainly another large repertoire that includes other instruments, and voice, with the piano and strings.”

Lately they have been incorporating “Informances” into their shows, which are becoming increasingly popular with audiences. She describes an “Informance” as “a combination of a lecture-type presentation with a performance or demonstration of the ‘lecture.’  It is to ‘inform’ the listener about what the music will be about and what to listen to specifically as well as the general ‘thought’ or ‘tone’ of each piece at hand. This is especially helpful when we present a 20th century piece that uses non-traditional approaches to the music.” She believes these help audiences gain a greater appreciation and acceptance of the performance piece.

The WCMS puts on four concerts per year in their “Subscription Series,” three in Salida and one in Buena Vista, offering chamber music from 18th, 19th and 20th century classical repertoire. They hope to explore other venues in the future as time permits with the visiting musicians.

In August 2010 they performed present Mozart’s “Piano Quartet in e flat, K.493,” Kenji Bunch’s “Suite for viola and piano” (1998), and Dvorak’s “Piano Quartet in E flat, Op. 87 at the Salida SteamPlant. April’s fare included “Sonata in a Major for violin and piano” by Cesar Franck, “Four Pieces for Clarinet and Piano Op. 5” by Alban Berg, and “L’ histoire du Soldat” (The Soldier’s Tale) (1918) by Igor Stravinsky.

Support for the WCMS comes through ticket sales, underwriting, and the Walden Circle – individual sponsors, patrons and benefactors who donate directly to help cover costs involved with the performances. Circle members also receive special recognition and benefits.

They also maintain a variety of youth education and outreach programs for young people wanting to volunteer, learn about, and gain an appreciation for classical music. In addition, the Society sponsors the Princeton Peak Piano Retreat, that will be held this year from July 25-30, consisting of piano master classes, private lessons, and a public recital. Also available during the retreat are Tai Chi and Alexander Technique classes with the days beginning with a walk/hike up the Barbara Whipple trail led by Jo, who also happens to be an avid mountain climber.

Their next scheduled performance is Sunday, June 6 at the Valley Fellowship Church in Buena Vista which will feature Vivaldi’s famous “The Four Seasons” performed by solo violinist Jason Erwin, who will be accompanied by the Ensemble. Also on the bill is the light opera buffa “La Serva Padrona” (the Maid Becomes Mistress) (1733) by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, with soprano Tina Lovejoy, baritone Keith Williamson, and actor Norman Spivy, accompanied by Harvey Boatright (flute), Jason Erwin (violin), Carrie Beeder (violin), Darren Sagawa (violin), Matt Diekman, viola, Camilla Bonzo (cello), Joel Bonzo (double bass), and Jo Boatright on harpsichord.

Information on their upcoming performances, the Piano Retreat, underwriting and membership options can be found on their website: www.waldenchambermusic.org, or by calling 719- 395- 2097.