York Late Music Concert Series

“We decided to focus on audience development by changing from a festival to a concert series with a clear artistic identity,” says concert administrator Steve Crowther.

“York Late Music would perform the music of only living composers; host the concerts in the same venue, at the Unitarian Chapel, in St Saviourgate, York, on the first Saturday of the month, from March to October; and introduce an affordable, uniform ticket price of £10 and concessions at £8.”

On the eve of the 2013 series opening this weekend, that philosophy remains in place.

“A few years ago, we very vulnerable financially and we realised we had to find a way of creating an identity: something we could relate to and others could relate to,” says Steve. “That way, we know what we stand for; the audience knows what we stand for; the musicians and composers know what we stand for; and so do the potential funders.”

This goal has been duly achieved, aided by a programme of pre-concert talks and audience feedback forms. “This helps to establish a sense of involvement between our audience and composers, performers and organisers,” says Steve.

“We’ve also started to address the new media gap in our work by creating a digital web presence for the concert series on Facebook and Twitter and setting up online blogs to engage regional, national and international audiences through dialogue, debate and discussion.”

Late Music’s commitment to music education will continue with workshops for primary and secondary schools, undergraduate and graduate music students and a link with Live Music Now that entails one concert featuring postgraduate performers at the start of their fledgling careers.

This year, Steve is aiming to raise the profile of York Late Music through commissioning works from the likes of Anthony Powers and Frederick Rzewski, who turns 75 this year.

See next Thursday’s What’s On for a full preview of a season that will include concerts by baritone Robert Rice and pianist William Vann on April 6; viola player Rosalind Ventris and pianist Lara Dodds-Eden, May 4; Ossian Ensemble, June 1; Ligeti String Quartet, July 6; pianist Ian Pace, August 3; Farthingdale Ensemble, September 7; and Manchester Chamber Choir, October 5.

The season opens on Saturday with pianist Richard Casey and clarinettist Nicholas Cox’s Life Cycle concert at 7.30pm. Anthony Powers will give a 6.45pm talk before the world premiere of his Clarinet Sonata, his first commission for York Late Music.

• Tickets are available from yorklatemusic.org or on the door.