Seattle Chamber Music Society acquires mobile “Concert Truck” to expand community reach | EarRelevant

EarRelevant Staff | 8 OCT 2025

SEATTLE, Washington— The Seattle Chamber Music Society has acquired The Concert Truck, a mobile performance venue designed to bring live classical music directly into public spaces, the organization announced Sept. 29.

The Concert Truck, founded in 2016 by pianists Susan Zhang and Nick Luby, is a converted box truck outfitted with a stage, lighting, sound equipment, and a grand piano. It has toured nationally, partnering with institutions such as the Kennedy Center’s Washington National Opera, Gilmore Piano Festival, the Aspen Music Festival and School, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Guest artists aboard the truck have included violinist James Ehnes, tenor Lawrence Brownlee, and pianist Ursula Oppens.

By integrating the mobile venue into its programming, SCMS aims to expand its reach beyond traditional concert halls and into city streets, schools, parks, festivals, and other community settings.

“We believe classical music belongs in everyday life,” said John Holloway, SCMS’s executive director. “This acquisition allows us to invest in the future of classical music and share what we’ve learned about turning casual encounters into lasting support.”

Ehnes, artistic director of SCMS, said the format aligns with chamber music’s adaptability. “One of the most powerful ways to show people that this music belongs to them is to bring it directly into their daily lives,” he said.

Zhang will join SCMS as the Maryanne Tagney Director of The Concert Truck and will continue to lead its operations and artistic planning. Booking and artist management will remain with Opus 3 Artists. The truck will continue touring nationally, available for use by arts organizations and educational institutions.

“Being part of SCMS is a powerful step forward in our mission to make classical music a living part of today’s culture,” Zhang said. “Performances in unexpected places help people see themselves in the music.”

The Concert Truck has previously presented programs at schools, hospitals, public plazas, and community centers. It has also collaborated on educational initiatives, including an online program with the Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival that has reached more than 55,000 students in North Carolina public schools.

The acquisition was made possible through support from philanthropist Maryanne Tagney. Upcoming tour dates for The Concert Truck include appearances at juvenile probation centers, museums, wineries, and K–12 schools.

The Seattle Chamber Music Society presents annual winter and summer chamber music festivals at Benaroya Hall and offers year-round concerts and community engagement programs throughout the region. Learn more about SCMS at seattlechambermusic.org. ■

The Concert Truck. (courtesy of SCMS)

EXTERNAL LINKS:

Bent Frequency: seattlechambermusic.org

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