Coleman Chamber Music Association

The Coleman Chamber Music Association, founded in 1904 by Alice Coleman, who would later become Alice Coleman Batchelder, is one of the oldest organizations in the United States dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of chamber music. Based in Pasadena, California, the association presents an annual series of six chamber music concerts at the California Institute of Technology's Beckman Auditorium, continuing a tradition that began when live performance was the primary means of experiencing music. Alice Coleman's vision for chamber music was innovative for its time, especially in Southern California where the genre was relatively unexplored. The inaugural Coleman Chamber Concert took place on January 25, 1904, at the old Elks Hall in Pasadena, featuring the Krauss Quartet, members of the then newly-established Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra, with Alice Coleman herself on piano. Alice, a Nebraska native who moved to Pasadena in 1886, was a talented pianist, recognized for her musical abilities from a young age. After a decade of studying and performing in Boston, she returned to Pasadena in 1901, determined to contribute to the city's cultural development. Throughout the early 20th century, Alice Coleman managed every aspect of the concert series, from artist engagement and program planning to audience building and securing financial support. The concerts were initially hosted in various venues, including theaters, clubs, and private homes. By the 1920s, with increased interest in the arts and financial backing from prominent figures such as astronomer George Ellery Hale and philanthropist Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge, the Coleman Concerts expanded significantly, eventually moving to larger venues such as Caltech's Culbertson Hall and the Pasadena Playhouse. The Coleman Chamber Music Association was formally incorporated as an educational, nonprofit organization in 1932. In 1947, Alice Coleman's commitment to nurturing young chamber musicians led to the establishment of the Coleman Chamber Music Auditions, later known as the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition. This competition has helped launch the careers of numerous ensembles, including Eighth Blackbird and the Calder, Colorado, Pacifica, and Tokyo Quartets. Over the years, the association has commissioned several works, celebrated its milestones with special compositions, and in 2004, marked its centennial with a commissioned piece performed by the Tokyo String Quartet. The Coleman Chamber Music Association also collaborated with the Pasadena Art Museum to create Encounters, a series that brought contemporary composers and audiences together for intimate and insightful musical experiences. Today, the Coleman Chamber Music Association is overseen by a full-time executive director and a board of community members with a passion for music. The organization's revenue comes from ticket sales, sponsorships, endowment income, and donations, which are essential for its operations. As a non-profit entity, contributions to Coleman are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Alice Coleman's legacy endures through the Coleman Chamber Music Association, which has introduced the music of nearly 500 composers to audiences in Pasadena and Southern California, fulfilling her vision of making the region a vibrant center for the arts. The association's historical records, including a chronology of events, lists of composers, compositions, ensembles, musicians, and details of the Coleman Competition, are maintained up to the 2018-19 season, preserving the rich history of this pioneering institution in chamber music.