Today we’d like to introduce you to William Ransom.
Hi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Born in Boston and raised in Nashville, I fell in love with classical music and the piano at an early age. I trained at The Juilliard School in New York and came to Atlanta shortly after to teach at Emory University in addition to continuing to perform around the world as a soloist with orchestras, recitalist, and chamber musician. It’s been very exciting to be a part of the tremendous growth of Music at Emory and throughout Atlanta. I realized early on that though there are more wonderful and amazing young performers than ever being turned out by Music Schools every year, no one is really actively focusing on creating a new generation of passionate and educated LISTENERS who will cherish and support this great music, which I feel is one of the greatest creations of mankind. So in 1993, I founded the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta with that as our mission. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this season, we have grown into the largest and most active Chamber Music organization in the Southeast, presenting over 60 concerts, masterclasses, classes and events each season- and all free of charge, to ensure as large and diverse an audience as possible. We draw huge, enthusiastic audiences, and when I hear people say, “classical music is dying”, I say, “come to Atlanta, where it is THRIVING!”.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Are any roads in the Arts smooth?! We have had incredible support from an amazing array of generous and visionary donors over the years, but it is always a struggle financially. We have a different model than almost all other similar organizations in that all of our concerts and programs are free of charge to ensure as large and diverse an audience as possible. Since we receive almost no financial support from the University without any ticket revenue, we are almost completely dependent on donors. But I have learned how to make magic happen on a shoestring, and especially in Chamber Music, unlike a Symphony Orchestra with its huge number of players, administrators, and requirements of the venue, this is possible.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In addition to founding and directing the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta which celebrates its 30th anniversary this season, I am also Artistic Director for the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival in NC. This is a six-week summer Festival set in the mountain Paradise of Highlands and Cashiers, NC, almost a mile high, so wonderfully cool in the summers, and an easy 2-hour drive from Atlanta. We just finished our 41st season (I have been AD since 2000) and are one of the longest and longest-running summer Festivals in the US. Just last month, I was named Artistic Director of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival in FL. From 2016-2020 I was AD of the Juneau Jazz & Classics Festival in Alaska, which was a wonderful opportunity to work in the Jazz genre as well, which I consider to be “America’s true classical music”. I also continue to perform around the world as a piano soloist and chamber musician. I was recently honored to be named one of Musical America Worldwide’s “30 Musical Innovators” for my work around the country. There are many wonderful pianists and many wonderful administrators but feel I have been able to combine the two successfully and to lead and grow multiple organizations that are dedicated to keeping this great music playing and to the musicians who dedicate their lives to it.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Bringing beautiful music played by wonderful musicians to as many people as possible is incredibly fulfilling. But I may be most purely happy when I am looking for seashells on the beach!
Pricing:
- All of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta’s programs are free of charge to ensure as large and diverse an audience as possible. This is almost unique nationwide for a major series of concerts and programs.
- At the Highlands-Cashiers Festival general admission for regular concerts is $40.
- At the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, prices vary.
Contact information:
- Website: https://chambermusicsociety.emory.edu/;
Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival: http://www.h-cmusicfestival.org/
Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival: https://ameliachambermusic.org/ - Facebook: William Ransom
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