St. Cecilia’s Mission Statement

St. Cecilia Chamber Music Society presents the finest local professional musicians in wide-ranging chamber works of exceptional quality.  We also provide young artists with opportunities for instruction and performance with master musicians.  Given in intimate surroundings, each concert unites musicians and audience in a powerful musical experience.

About St. Cecilia Chamber Music Society

St. Cecilia Chamber Music Society, formed in 2003, presents some of Houston’s finest professional musicians, including lead artists from the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, and the faculties of Rice University and the University of Houston, as well as outstanding local freelance artists.  Our concerts are presented in the nave of St. Stephen’s Church, a warm and intimate space with excellent acoustics for chamber music.

St. Cecilia Chamber Music Society is unique in that while other music organizations in Houston have an artistic director who chooses the programming and selects the musicians, St. Cecilia  instead empowers the musicians, much to their delight. We have five core musicians, each of whom is responsible for one of the five concerts of the season. This lead musician chooses the musical selections and assembles a group of the finest compatible and enthusiastic musicians.  These diverse and exciting ensembles play music from across the centuries and the world.  They love working together, and their synergy makes the music hum with musical electricity. Look at the programming for the current season, and you will see familiar, deeply loved pieces, along with less familiar works, which the musicians want to introduce to us, works that they are certain will be thrilling additions to our musical memories.

Our current lead musicians are Judy Dines, flute; James Dunham, viola; Sophia Silivos, violin; Barrett Sills, cello; and Rodney Waters, piano.  Other musicians who have performed for us in the past include Deborah Dunham, Frank Huang, Jennifer Owen, Richie Hawley, Oleg Sulyga, Kenneth Goldsmith, Eliseo Salazar, Norman Fischer, Melissa Givens, Wayne Brooks, and many more.  Look at the names in this season’s concert listings and read their bios—you will be impressed!

Here is what Rodney Waters says about St. Cecilia’s approach:  “By giving the core performing musicians the freedom to program our own concerts, the St. Cecilia Chamber Music Society has fostered an eclectic and inspired series that features old favorites, new works, and rarely heard masterpieces of chamber music.  This freedom changes our roles from simply being hired musicians for a gig, into being co-creators of a series of which we are truly proud.  As I look back over the past 10 years of concerts and look forward to the 2016-2017 season, I am so grateful for the opportunities to perform with this very special group of colleagues for audiences that really love the up-close-and-personal experience of chamber music.”

Because St. Cecilia Chamber Music Society’s Mission also places great importance on music education, its Mission includes the sponsorship of an annual youth concert.   We currently work with talented young chamber music players from Houston Youth Symphony, helping prepare them for the concert by supplying master musicians to coach them individually and to give master classes open to the public.

All performances are on a Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, located at 1805 W. (Note: The Youth Concert is on Saturday, April 22th at 2:30.) Alabama at Woodhead.  Free parking with easy access is available on the church parking lots and on the surrounding streets. For more information, check this website or call 713-331-0359. Join us for stellar evenings of music, punctuated by delectable food and wine at intermission.