In His Own Words:
“Audiences are hungry for a concert experience that hits them on multiple levels. It gives us all who live in this community, whether we’re performers or just concert-goers a feeling that we have something here that is unique, that is treasured, that defines us as a community and gives us a sense of place.”
Bio Sketch
An accomplished classical musician by the age of 18, Dix honed his skills first at the University of Puget Sound, then the Manhattan School of Music. He arrived in Phoenix in 1995 and currently plays with the Phoenix Symphony, also acting as Assistant Personnel Manager. Dix founded the Downtown Chamber Series not long after settling in Phoenix. Collaborating with Phoenix galleries on performances that combine music and visual arts, he brings the chamber music genre to new audience
Where to see Mark Dix:
Downtown Chamber Series
Legend City Gallery
521 W. Van Buren, Phoenix
Nov. 10th and 12th 8 p.m.
www.downtownchamberseries.org
602-254-1491
The Phoenix Symphony
455 North 3rd Street, Suite 390
Phoenix, AZ
Nov. 10, 11, 16-18,24-26,30
Dec. 1-3, 8, 9, 13-17, 31
Jan. 5-7, 11-14, 18, 19, 25-27
www.phoenixsymphony.org
602-495-1999 or 1-800-776-9080s in informal settings.
Synopsis
Although Mark Dix has been a viola player with the Phoenix Symphony for the past 15 years, it’s his passion for chamber music in intimate settings that led him to assemble a group of musicians to play in downtown Phoenix art galleries.
Join him backstage at Symphony Hall where he discusses the excitement and formality of a full orchestral performance. The red velvet, huge sound, and the nearly 100 musicians on stage is what the audience expects, and gets, at a Phoenix Symphony performance.
In sharp contrast to the weighty symphony experience, a handful of musicians practice in Dix’s bright, cheerful home honing the next performance of the Downtown Chamber Music Series. Dix explains the passion these musicians have for performing chamber music and how he launched the Series. He knew he wanted a venue to expose new audiences to this kind of music, so he tapped into the downtown First Fridays events, which were already firmly established in Phoenix.
Randy Slack, owner of the Legend City Gallery, says the arrangement between his gallery and the Chamber Music Series to host performances is a happy match. The musicians bring in their audience and art lovers who frequent Slack’s gallery are treated to an entirely new music experience.
Finally, viewers are treated to a sample of the eclectic repertoire the Series has been performing for the past seven seasons. Surrounded by the art in the gallery, it’s truly a feast for the senses.
More Chamber Music
The Juilliard String Quartet
Nov. 16th, Jan. 24th 7:30 pm
ASU’s Katzin Concert Hall
http://mainstage.asu.edu
480-965-6447
Chamber Music West
November 6 - St. Petersburg String Quartet
December 11 - Nokuthula Ngwenyama
January 8 - Fine Arts Quartet
Lecture 6:30 p.m., Performance 7:30 p.m.
Faith Presbyterian Church, Sun City
www.chambermusicwest.com
623-972-0478
Phoenix Chamber Music Society
November 1 - International Sejong Soloists
December 6 - Fine Arts Quartet with Joseph Kalichstein
January 8 - Borromeo Quartet with Richard Stoltzman
January 19 - Miro Quartet
All concerts begin 8 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Arts
www.phoenixchambermusicsociety.org
602-252-0095
Links
www.phoenixchambermusicsociety.org
www.chambermusicwest.com
http://mainstage.asu.edu
www.downtownchamberseries.org
www.phoenixsymphony.org