SOLI's core members, from left to right: Ertan Torgul, violin; Stephanie Key, clarinet; Carolyn True, piano; and David Mollenauer, cello.

For over a decade, SOLI's core members -- Stephanie Key, Ertan Torgul, David Mollenauer, and Carolyn True -- have gained a reputation for giving voice not only to 20th century “classics” but also for their strong commitment to commissioning new works and breathing life into the music of living composers. Named “Best Chamber Ensemble” by the San Antonio Current two years running, SOLI Chamber Ensemble continues to mesmerize audiences with their cutting edge performances. Fall 2009 took SOLI Chamber Ensemble to new audiences in Dallas, Denver and Colorado Springs, with their newly commissioned Musica, por un Tiempo by San Antonio native Robert Xavier Rodriguez and Olivier Messiaen’s powerful Quartet for the End of Time. These performances can now be seen in HD video!

In March 2008, SOLI had the honor of being one of three chamber ensembles invited to perform in the first ever Classical Music event at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music & Media Festival in Austin, Texas. This Boosey & Hawkes Music Company-sponsored program saw SOLI performing music of Steve Reich, Elliott Carter, Michael Torke and John Adams to a sellout crowd. Over 14 seasons, SOLI has featured new commissioned works, collaborating with award-winning dancer Amber Ortega-Perez, eclectic guitarist/composer Joe Reyes and composers like Libby Larsen, Theron Kirk and Dan Welcher. SOLI has been asked to enrich gallery showings by coordinating music and art. Recent collaborations have included concerts at the McNay Art Museum (exploring works for “Reclaimed, art from the collection of Jacques Goudstikker”), and the San Antonio Museum of Art (in connection with an Impressionist exhibit, SOLI gave four different concerts in a little over a month). SOLI's future plans include an extensive recording project featuring the ensemble's commissioned works, and establishing a touring schedule for venues around the country.

For years, SOLI's commitment to education has led to numerous school shows in and around the San Antonio area. This year, SOLI has scheduled previews of each season concert targeting young people, their imagination, and their creativity. The previews will be shorter in length, with interaction between SOLI members and their student audiences. We are pleased to announce our selection as Trinity University's first Ensemble in Residence. As part of an exciting chamber music initiative of the Trinity University music department, SOLI will be advising and guiding TUCHÉ (Trinity University student chamber ensemble), coaching student chamber groups, guiding student composers as they prepare works for strings, winds and piano, and teaching a workshop for high school students.

SOLI has received numerous awards including multiple grants from the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Meet the Composer, and the National Endowment for the Arts. This year SOLI is grateful to add The Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts, the Argosy Foundation, the Cornyation Foundation, and the City of San Antonio, Office of Cultural Affairs grants to its prestigious list of awards.

                                           

Thanks to our supporters and volunteers
Thanks to our supporters and volunteers SOLI's concerts are not possible without the enthusiastic and generous support of the City of San Antonio, Office of Cultural Affairs, Trinity University, Gallery Nord, Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, Whitt Snell/Bike World, Barteau Catering, Steve Yamaguma and design2market, Jonathan Marcus, Texas Public Radio, Bob Catlin and Doghouse Audio, The Steinway Piano Gallery, Aileen Chanco, Emily Townsend, our wonderful volunteers Yvonne Freckmann, Matt Barsalou, Kay Cote and Joan Fritze, our amazing Board of Directors, and last but not least you, our devoted audience members.

Our Board operates mostly behind the scenes to make our concerts possible. But you've also seen them selling tickets, setting up chairs and preparing our post-concert receptions. We would like to introduce you to these special members of SOLI and give them the thanks and recognition they so richly deserve. They are: MEG BARKER, JOHN CLARE, JANE KEY, TOM MCKENZIE and DR. JOE MURGO.

JOHN CLARE, executive director
I was the only Inuit growing up in Derby, Kansas. I probably was the only one who also had the Bohm Beethoven Symphonies, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, The Bangles’ Different Light and Alan Parsons Project’s Eye in the Sky, besides lots of Vivaldi, Copland and Berlioz on LP. I love to travel and smoke cigars. My last meal would be rare filet mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and chocolate mousse – with Angela Jolie or Carla Gugino. I am KPAC 88.3 FM's afternoon host and have worked around the country at NPR in Washington, DC and various member stations. I also play the violin besides composing now and then.