The Schubert Club names its Museum performance space for pianist and long-time supporter Thelma Hunter
ST. PAUL, Minn. (April, 2016) – The Schubert Club formally named its Museum recital space the Thelma Hunter Recital Room at a dedication event on Wednesday, April 13.
In August 2015 The Schubert Club lost an extraordinary friend, and the musical community of Saint Paul and Minneapolis lost a leading figure, when Thelma Hunter passed away just days before her 91st birthday. An active soloist, collaborative pianist, educator, and supporter of new music, Thelma maintained a long association with The Schubert Club.
A New York City native, Thelma became an important presence in the local scene: serving as Board Member of Minnesota Orchestra, American Composers Forum, and Jerome Foundation, and as faculty member at the University of Minnesota. In addition to her years as a member of The Schubert Club Board of Directors, and as a performing artist in numerous concerts—most recently in a 2014-2015 Live at the Museum series concert with tenor Vern Sutton—Thelma also established a special prize in The Schubert Club’s annual Student Scholarship Competition.
The Thelma Hunter Recital Room is located in The Schubert Club Museum on the southeast corner of the Landmark Center’s second floor. The room has rounded bay corners, fifteen foot high ceilings, and windows that look out onto Rice Park and Fifth Street. Over the doorway outside the room is a steel, etched glass marquee modeled on the canopy over the sidewalk at Wigmore Hall. This intimate performance space has seen its share of concerts, master classes and museum exhibitions. The Schubert Club acquired the space for its Museum in 2005, but the venue has been without an official name since then.
The Schubert Club Museum offers visitors insights into the inspiring role of music through the ages with its engaging and interactive collection of historical instruments and replicas, original autographed letters from notable composers, and other music-themed exhibits of historic and cultural interest. Open Sunday through Friday, Noon to 4 pm. Always FREE admission.
About The Schubert Club:
For 134 years, The Schubert Club has invited the world’s finest recital soloists and ensembles to the Twin Cities and promoted the finest musical talents of our community through performances, education, and museum programs. It has secured a prominent and distinguished reputation among musical organizations nationwide, and is one of the first arts organizations in the country.
The Schubert Club’s International Artist Series has presented virtually all of the world’s great recitalists including Jascha Heifetz, Arthur Rubinstein, Cecilia Bartoli, Beverly Sills, Leontyne Price, Yo-Yo Ma and Renée Fleming to name a few. In 2014, The Schubert Club introduced Schubert Club Mix, its convention-breaking performance series in nontraditional venues. Additional series include Music in the Park Series (chamber music concerts in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood), a free weekly lunchtime Courtroom Concerts series in downtown St. Paul, Accordo, and the Hill House Chamber Players.
The Schubert Club is committed to music education and reaches hundreds of children and young adults annually through family-friendly concerts, workshops, music lessons and scholarships.
The Schubert Club Museum located in historic Landmark Center holds a world-class collection comprised of historic keyboards, instruments from around the world, and original letters and manuscripts by famous composers.
For more information visit schubert.org.
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