Crescendo Concert Series president George Morris explained, ³We hope that this concert will appeal to a wide variety of audience interests including persons who might be especially glad to hear this music of an earlier age of Hispanic culture. Baltimore Consort is a favorite group among music lovers up and down the east coast where they are heard frequently. We were delighted to receive a letter recently from the Arts and Education Council informing us of the awarding of a $1,000 grant to help support our series presentation of this ensemble. We believe this will be a very special concert appearance and very much hope our growing audience will appreciate the opportunity to hear this renowned ensemble in St. Charles. This grant will go a long way toward assuring that our eighth year of concerts is successful financially as well as artistically.”
The Concert Series has also been supported for the past seven years through generous grants by the Arts and Culture Commission of the City of St. Charles. Additional funding by corporate sponsors such as Target Stores, Inc., by individual donors, and by advertising space purchased by local businesses and merchants combine to further assist bringing this recognized group to St. Charles.
“Crescendo Series is also grateful for generous gifts from individuals and from co-sponsors of some concerts. We encourage lovers of fine music to support our efforts,² Morris explained. Concertgoers who wish to help can send tax-deductible donations to the Crescendo Concert Series, P.O. Box 1613, St. Charles, MO, 63302-1613. Donors will be recognized in concert programs at the following levels: ³Forte² for donations up to $100; Fortissimo² for donations of $100 to $500; and ³Sforzando² for donations of
more than $500.
³Ticket revenue is only a small part of the income needed to present a concert series even when conducted entirely by volunteers. We are fortunate that members of the Crescendo Concert Series Board of Directors donate generously of their time, talents, and efforts. For instance, each event begins with a pre-concert talk at 2:30 p.m. conducted by musicologist Nancy Rubenstein, PhD, who has taught music history and appreciation at local universities and now serves on the Crescendo Concert Series Board of Directors. This is one reason we are able to provide so much quality music for so little money. Our Board Members are doing all the work that requires paid employees in many organizations.²
Morris stated that, ³Good music is an essential element in a good life. For many the definition of Œgood music¹ applies perfectly to the works performed by those artists the Crescendo Concert Series brings to St. Charles city and county. Most of our performers are classical musicians, but folk music and innovative modern music are included in their repertories as are lightclassical works.²
The final concert for this season will be a return performance by Stephen Porter, widely recognized pianist specializing in Romantic era music, at Immanuel Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall on May 20, 2007.
Individual adult tickets for $12 and student tickets for $5 can be purchased by sending a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Crescendo Concert Series, P.O. Box 1613, St. Charles, MO, 63302-1613 or at the door. Group rates are available by calling (636) 724-2507. For directions and additional information such as past and future concerts, visit their website at
