Texas Camerata

Sound Description:: Baroque music performed on historically correct instruments
Recommended:: Bach, Couperin, Telemann, Vivaldi, Handel

Founded 1991, based in Fort Worth, TX

http://www.fwearlymusic.org

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The roots of Texas Camerata go back to 1984 with the formation of Brazos Baroque (the Brazos is a nearby Texas river) by Lenora McCroskey, harpsichord/organ, Harriet Risk Woldt, baroque cello, viola da gamba, and the late David Hart, baroque flute. The initial focus of the group was to explore and perform music of the Baroque period on historically correct instruments, primarily through concerts and workshops for university students. While the University of North Texas and Texas Christian University were the chief beneficiaries of activities (Dr. McCroskey and Ms. Woldt were professors at these schools respectively), Brazos Baroque also toured in Arkansas, Oklahoma and other parts of Texas.

In 1990, Fort Worth Early Music was born as the umbrella organization of Brazos Baroque and a new consort of viols, "Ayres and Fancies," which was led by Ms. Woldt. In March of 1991, Fort Worth Early Music was incorporated and it received non-profit status in August of the same year. The 1991-92 season was the debut of the Fort Worth Early Music subscription series, which began with four concerts and expanded to five in the sixth season. The Board and the performers have worked diligently and successfully to guide Fort Worth Early Music towards recognition in the arts community; indeed, the group was hailed by Wayne Lee Gay, Fort Worth Star-Telegram music critic, as "a vital part of the local classical music scene."

In 2002, violinist Kristin Van Cleve was appointed Artistic Director.

In 2004, Fort Worth Early Music became Texas Camerata to reflect the organization's increased outreach in North Texas and beyond. Still proudly based in Fort Worth, the group continues their long-standing dedication to using period instruments with an emphasis on historically correct style.

Texas Camerata has collaborated with many local groups: The Renaissance Consort of Fort Worth, Shakespeare in the Park, Laudate!, the Denton Bach Society, the Arlington Choral Society, and the Texas Boys choir. Most notable were three performances in January, 2001 of Handel's "Israel in Egypt" with Dallas Opera Conductor Graeme Jenkins, the UNT Baroque Orchestra, UNT Canticum novum and the Helios Ensemble. These performances were included on the list by Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News music critic, of the ten best performing arts events of 2001.

The group has traveled extensively, having performed several concurrent event concerts at the Boston Early Music Festival, and several performances in France, which included concerts for the Festival Musique en l'Ile in Paris and a well-received performance for the Sinfonie Festival at the Abbey of Brantome in the Perigord region of France. Texas Camerata has also performed for the American Guild of Organists convention and the L'Organo Festival at Piccolo Spoleto in Charleston, South Carolina. A live recording of one of their Paris performances is available on CD.

Information from the group's site