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Chamber musicians keep music going with mini online concerts

With social distancing and shelter-in-place orders in place, music lovers are left with no live performances to attend and musicians have been cut off, not only from their ability to share their passion and their music, but also a substantial amount of their income.

That's why Chamber Music on the Fox is introducing a new series of digital mini-concerts: a series of very short 5- to-15-minute performances that are livestreamed from each musician's home and that benefit the artists directly.

Each performance will be livestreamed on Chamber Music on the Fox's Facebook page, and viewers will be encouraged to make a tax-deductible donation, 100% of which will go to the performers.

"When we had to cancel our April concert, we began to brainstorm ways to keep the music alive, keep artists connected with audiences, and keep musicians earning a little something to keep them afloat during an otherwise financially devastating time," Executive Director Sara Sitzer explained, "These mini-concerts won't solve all of those problems, but they're a step in the right direction."

The concerts will take place on Chamber Music on the Fox's Facebook page, facebook.com/chambermusiconthefox. A schedule of performances is below. For details, visit www.ChamberMusicOnTheFox.org, call (224) 276-8881, or email sara.sitzer@chambermusiconthefox.org.

Schedule of performances:

Saturday, April 4, 7 p.m. - Matthew Agnew, cello

Wednesday, April 8, 7 p.m. - Moeller Duo, guitar and cello

Monday, April 13, 7 p.m. - Marty Davids, violin

Tuesday, April 14, 7 p.m. - Rebecca Swan, viola

Saturday, April 18, 3 p.m. - Sara Sitzer, cello

Sunday, April 19, 3 p.m. - Matthew Coley, marimba

Wednesday, April 22, 7 p.m. - Amanda Grimm, viola

Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m. - Eric Pidluski & Karl Rzasa, violin and bassoon

Sunday, April 26, 3 p.m. - Scott Metlicka, flute

Thursday, April 30, 7 p.m. - Mark Fry, bass trombone

Founded by ESO musicians Mark Fry and Sara Sitzer, Chamber Music on the Fox is a world-class classical chamber music series serving Elgin and the greater Fox Valley region, whose mission is to present engaging, enriching, and immersive performances and cultural experiences that enhance the cultural offerings of the area.

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