The Fortnightly Music Club presents what is possibly one of the best deals around for music and culture. Every year, with a season running from October through May, the FMC holds monthly free-to-the-public classical music concerts. They afford a rare opportunity for the classical music enthusiast on a budget to experience live performances of a wide range of composers’ works.
The FMC holds two types of concerts. Their monthly formal public concerts consist of three different musical works, and each usually includes a piano piece, chamber music, and a showcase of a composer or vocalist. Each of the three performances is limited to 20 minutes. All performers are members of the Fortnightly Music Club. In addition to the formal public concerts, the club also holds more informal fortnightly private in-home concerts open only to members.
Annual membership dues for the FMC are a very reasonable $30, and allow attendance at all shows. Members at this level are designated as Enthusiasts. In order to qualify to perform at one of the formal public concerts, a member may audition at one of the informal concerts. After a successful audition, an Enthusiast member becomes an Active member who may then submit a piece to perform at one of the formal events.
Membership is comprised of both professional and non-professional performers, composers, and music lovers, and is open to all ages. The club’s current roster includes over 250 people, around 200 of which were in attendance at the last concert of the 2010-2011 season.
While the all-volunteer-run Fortnightly Music Club remains very active, it is currently facing a few challenges. The FMC’s current formal concert performance home is located in the Lucie Stern Community Center at 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. The club has been temporarily ousted from their previous home due to remodeling, which is scheduled for completion in 2013. Club President, David Saslav, says the key challenge facing the Fortnightly Music Club is a dearth of younger incoming members. While growing the club’s membership in general is a priority, Saslav is hoping to attract a younger generation of performers and music lovers, and highlights that there is nothing to prevent youth from becoming active members of the club.
Those interested in becoming members of the Fortnightly Music Club should contact Membership Chair Noriko Iwamoto at membership@fortnightlymusicclub.org
Stay tuned with the Mountain View Examiner for upcoming information on the FMC’s 2011 –2012 concert series.
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