About Salon Concerts
Founded in 1990 by violinist Robert Rudié, Salon Concerts Inc. is dedicated to the performance of chamber music in the intimate settings for which it was written. It is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and serves the Central Texas area.
History • Our
Founder • Subscription
Series • Rush Hour Concerts
Organization & Funding •
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History
Chamber music is a part of the classical literature that has always held a special place in Robert Rudié's heart. He dreamed of showcasing this music in small settings, as composers had intended. In 1988, Mr. Rudié presented Austin’s first professional chamber music concerts in private homes under auspices of the Austin Chamber Music Center. But his vision for chamber music encompassed the future as well as the present, and he was concerned that student string players in public schools were not getting the rich experience of small-ensemble playing. Mr. Rudié conceived an innovative program to provide in-school chamber music coaching for student musicians. He founded Salon Concerts to develop this project and also continue producing chamber music concerts.
Initially operating under the Music Umbrella of Austin, Salon Concerts inaugurated its own series of in-home concerts in fall 1990 and in early 1991 launched CHAMPS (Chamber Music in Public Schools). Salon Concerts Inc. became a Texas nonprofit corporation in 1994 and received 501(c)(3) charitable status in 1996.
Our Founder
Robert Rudié is the founding music director of Salon Concerts and the Chamber Music in Public Schools program. A graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, he has performed on the world's great stages as soloist, conductor, concertmaster, and chamber musician. Mr. Rudié is also an accomplished actor with many performances to his credit including an Emmy-winning role as the great violinist Paganini.
Subscription Series
Salon Concerts produces four subscription concerts each season, hosted in elegant private homes. Austin’s finest professional musicians perform classical chamber music by the great masters and less-heralded composers. Each concert is presented in two performances, with educational commentary by the artists and gourmet post-performance receptions. All performances are publicized and open to the general public by subscription or single ticket purchase.
Rush Hour Concerts
This program is designed to bring chamber music to new audiences. Four free, 60-minute Rush Hour Concerts are presented each season at the centrally located Armstrong Community Music School of Austin Lyric Opera. Presented after work on a weekday, each concert is scheduled in conjunction with a subscription Salon Concert and features selections from the in-home program, performed by the same artists. Rush Hour Concerts reach up to 200 people per season.
Organization and Funding
Salon Concerts Inc. is a (501)(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors who represent a broad range of occupations. Each board member also serves on one or more committees of the organization. Violinist and music educator Robert Rudié is music director of Salon Concerts Inc. Professional arts administrator Melissa J. Eddy of the Classical Music Consortium of Austin is general manager. Both are part-time contractors.
Salon Concerts and CHAMPS are supported by the City of Austin's Cultural Arts Division; Texas Commission on the Arts; the Clinton B. Ford Fund of the Amateur Chamber Music Players Foundation; Kodosky Foundation; and many businesses and individual donors. Over 80% of all revenue is devoted directly to musical and educational programs.