Columbia, SC – The South Carolina Philharmonic is thrilled to announce the launch of “Andy & Friends” in the 2024-2025 Season, a new chamber music series curated and led by renowned pianist Andrew Armstrong. The series will feature five concerts at the historic Satterlee Hall at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, bringing international musicians such as The Barbican Quartet, violinists Stefan Jackiw and Geneva Lewis, and mezzo-soprano Indra Thomas to Columbia.
Concert Dates and Details:
- November 11, 2024: Featuring Andrew Armstrong (piano), Stefan Jackiw (violin), and Yoonah Kim (clarinet).
- January 13, 2025: Featuring Andrew Armstrong (piano), Jeroen Berwaerts (trumpet), Mak Grgic (guitar), and Abigél Králik (violin).
- February 10, 2025: Featuring Andrew Armstrong (piano) and The Barbican Quartet.
- March 10, 2025: Featuring Andrew Armstrong (piano), Amy Schwartz Moretti (violin), and the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings Ensemble.
- May 12, 2025: Featuring Andrew Armstrong (piano), Indra Thomas (mezzo-soprano), Alison Shearer (alto sax & composer), and Eriko Daimo (marimba).
All concerts start at 6 PM, with general admission tickets available for $40 each at scphilharmonic.com. Capital Concert subscribers can purchase tickets for $35. Subscriptions to the series are available for $160.
The November 11 and February 10 concerts will have encore performances at Harbison Theatre on November 12 and February 11, with tickets available at the Harbison Theatre website.
Leadership and Vision: Executive Director Rhonda Hunsinger is enthusiastic about this new addition to the SC Phil’s programming. “The addition of Andy & Friends to the SC Phil family is a remarkable enhancement to our programming,” Hunsinger said. “It broadens our audience base, encourages cross-genre appreciation, and strengthens our role as a central cultural institution in our city and state. The series enables us to engage with leading musicians from the US and around the world, fostering creative partnerships with our SCP musicians.”
Series Music Director Andrew Armstrong expressed his excitement: “It is an honor and a thrill to bring our Chamber Music Series into the thriving, bustling, and ever-imaginative musical family that is the South Carolina Philharmonic. This season is our most ambitious yet, featuring international sensations and unique performances that promise to offer something new and exciting at each concert.”
About Andrew Armstrong: Andrew Armstrong has been praised by critics for his expression and technique, performing across Asia, Europe, Latin America, Canada, and the United States. His extensive orchestral engagements and solo recitals have been heard at prestigious venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, and London’s Wigmore Hall. Armstrong’s performances are regularly broadcast on National Public Radio and WQXR, New York City’s premier classical music station.
Concert Highlights:
- November 11: Featuring Stefan Jackiw, who has appeared with major symphony orchestras including Boston, Chicago, and New York, and Yoonah Kim, known for her “inexhaustible virtuosity.”
- January 13: Featuring Jeroen Berwaerts, Mak Grgic, and Abigél Králik, bringing a mix of baroque to contemporary music, and exceptional chamber music.
- February 10: Featuring the award-winning Barbican Quartet, known for their appearances at major international festivals.
- March 10: Featuring Amy Schwartz Moretti and the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings Ensemble, known for their outstanding contributions to chamber music.
- May 12: Featuring Indra Thomas, Alison Shearer, and Eriko Daimo, offering a diverse and thrilling program to conclude the series.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the South Carolina Philharmonic website.