Chamber Music at the Scarab Club

Chamber Music at the Scarab Club
Background and History

Chamber Music at the Scarab Club held its first concert in December 1998. The inaugural season consisted of two programs at Detroit's historic Scarab Club. Prior to these concerts, co-artistic directors Nadine Deleury and Velda Kelly had organized several impromptu Soirees Musicales (chamber music jam sessions) upstairs in the Scarab Club's Lounge Gallery. These quickly created a loyal following and were such a success that the pair decided to launch the concert series. Bandoneonist Peter Soave and harpist Kerstin Allvin were the first featured artists in 1998-99. The series then expanded to three concerts in 1999-00. Now in its eleventh season, CMSC continues to hold three performances at the Scarab Club and has also added two other venues for additional programs. Striving to build a broader audience base, the group presents concerts at the Marygrove College and at The Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church.

The series is well known for its innovative programming, outstanding performers and informal atmosphere. Each program is introduced by a speaker and followed by a friendly reception. Deleury and Kelly are dedicated to featuring local performers as well as an occasional group from outside the Detroit area. Some highlights of previous seasons include the melodrama Ghosts of a Paris Past, a performance by the Borsarello String Trio, William Walton's Facade, and A Feminine Approach (featuring music of female composers). This is a series that succeeds in integrating a variety of art forms. Visual art, drama and literature have all been incorporated into many of the concerts. Check the season schedule for more information about this year's exciting programs.