“I’m really looking to check out one of these intimate garden concerts put on by this concert tour company Classical Movements in Alexandria […] they’re holding it outdoors in what they call the ‘Secret Garden’ at their facility on Princess Street and that sounds really magical and I’m looking forward to learning more.”
“Concerts are slowly making a comeback and this summer head to a very special show. Concert tour company Classical Movements is putting on a series of intimate garden concerts starting on Saturday.”
“The secret garden of the Rectory, 711 Princess Street in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, is the venue for Classical Movements’ Sounds of Hope & Harmony series of intimate and socially distanced Saturday-evening concerts. On July 25 at 6 and 7:30 p.m., cellists Eugena Chang and Britton Riley and a quartet made up of violinists Alexandra Osborne and Angelia Cho, violist Mahoko Eguchi and cellist Rachel Young — all National Symphony Orchestra musicians — will give one-hour performances of works by Barrière, Bartók, Bologne, Beethoven, Joplin and other composers.”
“If you happen to be biking the Mt. Vernon Trail on July 25, consider locking up in Old Town Alexandria that evening as orchestral touring company Classical Movements launches “Sounds of Hope & Harmony,” a new series of 16 concerts in its socially distanced “secret garden.” I covered the company’s first go at a pandemic-defying outdoor concert (spoiler: it was great!), and its forthcoming programs (Aug. 1, 8, 15; Sept. 12, 19, 26; and Oct. 3) will reach beyond chamber music to include opera, jazz and even choral works.
Going to my first concert of the pandemic felt like preparing for battle. Then I got there.
Michael Andor Brodeur, The Washington Post | June 22, 2020
Minnesota Orchestra cancels summer tour to Vietnam, South Korea
Jenna Ross, Star Tribune | March 27, 2020
The tour would have featured two new compositions by Vietnamese composers Do Hong Quan and Tran Manh Hung, commissioned by the Classical Movements, the company that helped shape the orchestra’s 2015 tour of Cuba and 2018 trip to South Africa. The orchestra will play those works at a later date.
Read the full article here.
Read the Minnesota Orchestra press release here.
National Symphony Orchestra cancels tour to Japan due to coronavirus
The decision was made after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recommended that cultural events be canceled for the next two weeks as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread. The Japanese government has also told schools to begin their scheduled spring break several weeks early and not reopen until April. There have been more than 200 cases reported in Japan and at least four deaths.
“We are deeply disappointed,” NSO Executive Director Gary Ginstling said in a statement. “After multiple consultations with officials at U.S. government agencies and recommendations from the Japanese government, it became clear that these evolving circumstances are beyond our control.”
Read the full NSO press release here
Tenor Errin Duane Brooks to Tribute Enrico Caruso and Mario Lanza in Recital
Logan Martell, OperaWire | July 29, 2021
“After presenting over 200 artists of the highest caliber, from rising stars to internationally-acclaimed soloists, we are so proud to be presenting such a major artist in his very first appearance in the area,” Classical Movements President Neeta Helms said”
Music Venues May Be Open, but Outdoor Concerts Are Still Big
Sherri Dalphonse, Washingtonian | July 7, 2021
“Some shows are in spots that may be more appealing than a concert hall. You can enjoy Bach or Billie Holiday amid boxwoods at performances put on by Classical Movements in the Secret Garden of the Rectory on Princess Street in Old Town. The lineup includes choral music, cabaret, jazz, opera, tango, and more.”
WORLD PREMIERE: Choral Arts Chamber Singers set to premiere “Stand Up” by B. E. Boykin
Patrick D. McCoy | Jun 3, 2021
Classical Movements, a global presenter of concerts were among the many who had to make adjustments during the pandemic. One of its major contributions was the beginning of their outdoor concerts in The Secret Garden, which is an intimate space located at the organization’s headquarters in Alexandria, VA. It would be safe to say that President and Founder Neeta Helms and Classical Movements were the very first to begin presenting live concerts during the pandemic, when others were still quite reluctant to do so. What is special about this concert is the world premiere of B. E. Boykin’s “Stand Up.” Commissioned by Classical Movements’ Eric Daniel Helms New Music Program, the work is in honor of the activist and educator Mary Church Terrell, which will be given its world premiere with Scott Tucker and the Choral Arts Chamber Singers.
Top Things to Do This Summer in Alexandria
Caroline Secrest, Visit Alexandria | May 6, 2021
Check out #3 on this list of “Top Things to Do This Summer in Alexandria, VA”
A musical tribute with Indian links at the Biden-Harris Inauguration
Sriram Lakshman, The Hindu | January 19, 2021
“As part of a series of events to inaugurate President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, members of some of the most established orchestras in the U.S. are getting together for a live-streamed musical tribute, “Fanfare for Joe and Kamala,” a day before the actual Inauguration.”
“The group of 14, called the Hope and Harmony Ensemble, has been put together by Classical Movements run by Indian-origin Neeta Helms of Virginia.”
The Classical Movements musician group perform virtually in honor of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
Yukare Nakayama, ABC7 |
“As the inauguration approaches, the Classical Movements, a group made of musicians from all over the country, got together virtually with their Hope and Harmony Ensemble to perform in honor of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
The Classical Movements’ Hope and Harmony Ensemble performance included Percussionist Cynthia Yeh of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Musicians From Around Country Hope To Ease Sour Notes Of Division
Robbie Owens, CBS DFW | January 20, 2021
Watch this interview with Neeta Helms, Elmer Churampi, and Robbie Owens. Congratulations on a beautiful virtual tribute yesterday performed by the Hope & Harmony Ensemble, and all involved in this project!
“Creativity Abounds as Americans Mark Holidays in Times of COVID”
Vero Balderas Iglesias, Voice of America | December 21, 2020
The COVID pandemic has forced Americans to find innovative ways to safely celebrate Christmas. Classical Movements’ Sounds of Joy and Light holiday concert series is featured.
Weekend Arts Round Up, December 10, 2020
Richard Seldon, The Georgetowner | December 10, 2020
“Classical Movements will present two afternoon performances of “Hallelujah! Gospel & Choral Favorites with Camerata Baltimore” on Dec. 19 at 1 and 2:30 p.m. in the Secret Garden at the Rectory, 711 Princess St. in Alexandria, Virginia. The program of gospel music, spirituals and classical repertoire in celebration of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas includes “Hallelujah” from Handel’s “Messiah,” Saint-Saëns’s “Christmas Oratorio” and works by John Rutter, Undine Smith Moore and Amy F. Bernon. Seating will be socially distanced and masks are required. Tickets are $45.”
Socially-Distanced Outdoor Concerts Selling Out in Alexandria, Virginia
Grace Arnold, The Zebra | November 3, 2020
“Social distancing has affected every facet of life from work, to education, to entertainment. Classical Movements is countering that effect, introducing live classical music in a socially distanced setting. As musicians perform underneath a pergola surrounded by lush foliage, the Secret Garden at The Rectory series is becoming the new social hub for all Alexandrians.”
“Music has the power to unite even the most uncommon of folks, and there is a poetic irony about unity during times of necessary separation, but that separation makes the power of music all the more relevant right now. Neeta Helms, Founder and President of Classical Movements, agrees, ‘We want to make the Covid winter as beautiful and happy as possible… We should just spread the joy and light that we can.’”
The world is loud. These upcoming classical music performances will give you some comfort.
Michael Andor Brodeur, The Washington Post | October 14, 2020
Only live Classical Pick for October:
“With the new season comes another change as the Alexandria-based Classical Movements refreshes its series of socially-distanced chamber concerts with a new name and 22 more performances, starting on Halloween and continuing through December 19.
[…] That evening, they’ll clear the cobwebs for “A Venetian Halloween,” featuring NSO musicians playing an autumnal chunk of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons as well as Puccini’s “Crisantemi.” (If this isn’t a perfect opportunity to step up your mask game, I’m not sure what is.)”
The Score: Seasons of Change
The League of American Orchestras, Symphony Magazine | Fall 2020
“With most orchestral touring on hiatus due to Covid-19, tour organizer Classical Movements looked closer to home for a suitable performance venue, and found one in its back¬yard: the garden outside its offices in Alexandria, Virginia. In July, Classical Movements President Neeta Helms launched “Sounds of Hope and Harmony,” a series of one-hour outdoor chamber concerts featuring musicians from the Al¬exandria Symphony Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra, among others, in a wide range of music.”
Pandemic Forces Performing Arts Leaders to Rethink
Richard Selden, The Georgetowner | September 15, 2020
“While virtual programming has blossomed, there have been few attempts to return to live, in-person performance. Alexandria, Virginia, appears to be the area leader, with outdoor, small-ensemble performances by Alexandria Symphony Orchestra members planned for this fall and the 18-concert Sounds of Hope & Harmony series successfully launched in the Rectory’s secret garden by orchestra tour company Classical Movements.”
Outdoor classical music concert series finds a way forward for live performances
Cody Mello-Klein, Alexandria Times | August 27, 2020
“The chance to see talented musicians up close in an intimate setting is also rare in the realm of classical music, where massive concert halls and pricy tickets are standard. Classical Movements is making music more accessible and, in the process, hopes to remind audiences why live performances are so valuable.”
Alexandria Crichlow & V. Savoy McIlwain Headline ‘Songs of Hope & Harmony’ Concert This August
David Salazar, OperaWire | August 19, 2020
“The Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts and Classical Movements will be joining forces to present a unique concert as part of the “Songs of Hope & Harmony” series on August 29, 2020.
“The showcase will feature soprano Alexandria Crichlow and baritone V. Savoy McIlwain alongside pianist Dr. Lester Green. Pamela Simonson will narrate the concert performance. The event is set to take place in Alexandria, Virginia in honor of the March on Washington back in the 1960s.”
Elizabeth Blair, NPR Morning Edition | August 17, 2020
“Vox Virtual is the brainchild of the Dutch/Icelandic group Olga and the international touring company Classical Movements. […] since almost all of these groups have had their in-person shows canceled, it didn’t take much to get their fellow artists on board.”
