Schubert Club

'''Schubert Club''' is a distinguished American music organization based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with a rich history dating back to its inception in 1882. It was founded by Marion Ramsey Furness, daughter of Governor Alexander Ramsey, and a group of music enthusiasts under the name The Ladies Musicale. The organization initially served as a social gathering for women to enjoy and perform music but evolved to organize concerts, lectures, and study groups. To reflect a broader mission of establishing high musical performance standards, the name was changed to honor the composer Franz Schubert. The Schubert Club is recognized as one of the oldest arts organizations in the United States, with a legacy that predates even the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. From its early focus on solo recitals, the organization expanded in 1893 to include the '''International Artist Series''', which has since presented many of the world's leading recital soloists such as Jascha Heifetz, Arthur Rubinstein, Cecilia Bartoli, Isaac Stern, Beverly Sills, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Leontyne Price, Yo-Yo Ma, and Renée Fleming. Throughout its history, the Schubert Club has been committed to showcasing both established stars and emerging artists, leading to the Saint Paul debuts of luminaries like Vladimir Horowitz, Isaac Stern, and Cecilia Bartoli. The organization has maintained a tradition of presenting exceptional musical talent and continues to bring renowned recitalists to the local stage. In 2010, the organization expanded its offerings by merging with the '''Music in the Park Series''', a chamber music-focused series founded in 1979 by Julie Himmelstrup. This merger continued the tradition of presenting excellent chamber music in intimate settings. The Schubert Club further diversified its concert experiences with the introduction of '''Schubert Club Mix''' in 2014, a series that breaks convention by hosting performances in nontraditional venues. The organization also includes '''Accordo''', a string collective featuring musicians from the Minnesota Orchestra and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and a free weekly lunchtime '''Courtroom Concert series''' at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul, featuring Minnesota-based artists and composers. Beyond concert presentations, the Schubert Club is deeply invested in music education and community engagement. Since 1911, it has reached thousands of young people through programs like KidsJam music workshops, Project CHEER free music lessons, master classes, and scholarship awards. The '''Schubert Club Music Museum''', situated in the historic Landmark Center, underwent a significant renovation to include interactive galleries such as the Music Makers Zone and the Keyboard Journey Gallery, alongside the Gilman Ordway Manuscript Collection. The Schubert Club has sustained its vitality through the support of music lovers, audience members, and philanthropic entities, ensuring that it remains a vibrant and essential part of the Twin Cities' classical music landscape. It is a founding member of the '''Arts Partnership''', collaborating with other organizations to ensure a dynamic future for the performing arts in downtown St. Paul. == References == * [https://schubert.org Schubert Club Official Website]