University of Dallas Crowley Chamber Trio Enchants Audiences

Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University News

The Crowley Chamber Trio captivates the audience at the Museum of Biblical Art.

News Summary

The University of Dallas’s Crowley Chamber Trio is delighting audiences with free bi-annual concerts at the Museum of Biblical Art. The trio, composed of talented faculty members, offers a rich repertoire of classical music while engaging the local community. The initiative, aimed at promoting music appreciation, showcases the university’s commitment to cultural outreach and aims to pave the way for a dedicated performance center.

Dallas – The University of Dallas’s Crowley Chamber Trio is enchanting audiences with a series of free concerts held at the Museum of Biblical Art in Preston Hollow. These concerts take place bi-annually in the spring and fall and are designed to provide an engaging cultural experience for families and couples alike, complete with a reception offering light refreshments following each performance.

The Crowley Chamber Trio is composed of Kristin Van Cleve on violin, Marie-Thaïs Oliver on cello, and Andrey Ponochevny on piano. The trio performs a diverse repertoire, featuring works by renowned composers such as Claude Debussy and Ernst von Dohnànyi. This initiative to establish the trio stems from the vision of Marylin Walker, the former director of the music program at the university. The objective was to create a musical ensemble that could perform regularly in a community-friendly venue.

As the director of the music program at the University of Dallas, Van Cleve is actively involved in teaching music history, theory, and violin, as well as directing the chamber ensemble program. The university has a growing need for a dedicated performing venue, particularly since current campus facilities do not provide the optimal acoustics necessary for chamber music. This has prompted faculty to seek out alternative venues, leading to the choice of the Museum of Biblical Art due to its appealing art collection and performance space.

The initiative to perform at the museum not only offers a quality environment for chamber music but also aims to increase visibility for the UD music program. The ensemble hopes that these performances will eventually pave the way for the establishment of a dedicated performance center at the university, reflecting the high caliber of student musicianship.

Chamber music is known for its intimate nature, allowing audiences to feel a close connection to the performance. The Crowley Chamber Trio is particularly focused on selecting music that resonates with listeners, hoping to create an atmosphere that is both engaging and relatable. Each concert is thoughtfully curated to provide audiences with experiences that might deepen their appreciation for classical music.

The concerts have been part of the university’s outreach efforts for several years, with performances typically scheduled to include preview shows for students prior to the onset of the pandemic. By maintaining a schedule of bi-annual events, the trio has continuously fostered a relationship with the community, bringing them high-quality performances that enrich local culture.

Through this program, the Crowley Chamber Trio is dedicated to enhancing the cultural landscape of Dallas by delivering top-notch musical experiences. The university emphasizes the importance of creating a high-level performing environment that showcases the talents of its student musicians, thus nurturing a community of arts appreciation.

In summary, the Crowley Chamber Trio’s performances at the Museum of Biblical Art serve not only as a platform for showcasing music that is engaging and approachable but also as a vital means of connecting the university with the broader Dallas community. The hope is to continue this tradition of excellence and connection, further highlighting the role of music in fostering community bonds.