EarRelevant Staff | 16 SEP 2022
Amelia Island, FL— On Friday morning, Anne Coonrod, the president of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, announced the appointment of pianist William Ransom as the new artistic director of the Festival. Ransom is the founder and artistic director of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta, the Mary Emerson Professor of Piano at Emory University, and artistic director of the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival in western North Carolina.
“We are so pleased that Will has accepted the position to lead our Festival as we enter our 22nd season of bringing world-class musicians to Amelia Island,” said Coonrod. “With the passing of the Festival’s founder and artistic and general director, Christopher Rex, it was important to find a successor who shared Chris’ vision and passion for the Festival. Will and Chris were colleagues and friends, and we look forward to Will’s vast experience and incredible musical talent to help us as we continue to grow the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival.”
Upon accepting the appointment, Ransom responded, “I am honored and thrilled to be joining the team leading the Festival into its next chapter. Chris, the board, and the legions of volunteers and patrons have built the Festival into an extraordinary organization. I plan to continue the tradition of presenting the greatest music in the world performed by some of the world’s greatest musicians in imaginative, compelling programs. The combination of the music, the musicians, and the community with the magic of Amelia Island is irresistible, and I hope a whole new generation of fans will join the fun!”
The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival was founded in 2001 by Christopher Rex, a vacationer on Amelia Island and the principal cellist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and a group of Fernandina Beach residents who loved chamber music. The Festival’s first season was launched with a budget of only $50,000, raised by a group of generous donors and a corporate sponsorship. Friends also donated housing for the artists, and some artists even donated their services to help get the Festival established.
Now entering its 22nd season, the Festival has developed into one of the nation’s most prestigious events of its kind. The Festival’s mission includes:
- Presenting the world’s greatest musical artists in chamber music concerts of classical and alternative genres.
- Offering musical education for students.
- Promoting local businesses and tourism by attracting music lovers to our area.
For additional information, visit the Festival’s website: www.aicmf.org ■
EXTERNAL LINKS:
- Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival: aicmf.org
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