LILA MEEKS AND STACI BRETON

USCB Chamber Music Series
Let The Music Play

More than four decades ago in 1979, Lila and Buster Meeks were in the audience of a small Beaufort theater, enjoying a classical musical performance thanks to a new initiative to bring chamber music to our local community. That day, they noted how remarkable it was for a small town to offer such an amazing cultural experience. Now, over forty years later, Lila is still a devoted patron of the USCB Chamber Music Series in Beaufort. Thankfully, her passion, coupled with a fantastic team, allowed it to continue even during a pandemic.

Each year from September to April, Beaufort welcomes extraordinary talent from across the nation to perform classical pieces. These special monthly concerts occur on five Sundays in Beaufort’s downtown at the Center for the Arts on the USCB historic campus. The series maintains a devoted audience year after year and welcomes visitors, who are always amazed to find such talented musicians in this out-of-the-way location. Many patrons even have specific seats they sit in for each show.

“It’s wonderful that brilliant artists, who perform at some of the biggest venues in America, like Carnegie Hall and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, come to play for us here in Beaufort,” says Lila with a smile. “We are so lucky to have them, and they love the experience because it’s intimate, and the audience is always responsive.”

Thanks to the artistic directors of the series, Beaufort has a network of musicians and artists who put together exceptional programs, like the one that recently concluded its 41st season this past spring.

Reaching the note of that final show in 2021 was quite the journey for Mrs. Meeks, the Chamber Music Board, and USCB’s Staci Breton, who has worked with the series for the past fourteen years — and for
the steadfast audience members, both live and virtual.

In so many ways, the world came to a standstill as Covid became part of our daily lives, and musicians and live venues were at the top of the list of things that could not occur. Just as the series was celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2020, with a weekend schedule of a grand, downtown Bay Street soiree, followed by a special concert at the Center for the Arts, Covid came to town — uninvited, shall we say. Following suit with closures around the world, the next and final show of the 40th season was canceled in Spring 2020.

“Just like everything else, it all came to a halt. And after a couple of months, I knew we had to do something drastic to keep artists employed and music playing. We had to come up with a plan,” remembers Lila. “And that’s when Staci and I pulled the Board together for our very first Zoom meeting, and with support from USCB Chancellor Dr. Panu, we brainstormed our way to a plan for the 41st season.”

The question of “What are we going to do?” quickly turned into “This is how it can happen!” And they rolled up their sleeves to build a new online platform, communicated with long-time subscribers and supporters about participation, partnered with community businesses, and, of course, found the musicians who would travel to Beaufort and share their talents during some very dark days.

“As many of us have discovered, the Lowcountry of South Carolina is a treasure trove, and I submit that one of its finest gems is USCB Chamber Music. How lucky I feel to have found it, and how grateful I am that we are keeping it safe.”
– Bailey Symington, long-time supporter of the Beaufort Chamber Music Series

By September 2020, the series was ready to launch the 41st season with various new ways to reach audiences during the pandemic. There were capacity-limited, socially distanced audiences in person, and a videographer captured the concerts for a livestream option. Patrons, many of whom were unaccustomed to masked gatherings or video-viewing, followed detailed instructions and found themselves safely in the hall or welcoming the artists into their homes. The excellent videos not only provided a new opportunity for how the concerts were delivered to audiences but also allowed for the addition of artist interviews so that patrons could learn about the musicians’ experience firsthand.

“I learned many new skills in our efforts to bring the series to life for the 2020-2021 season,” recalls Staci Breton, director of Continuing Education at USCB. “Through technology, we were able to make the concerts happen and enthrall patrons near and far … maybe even from farther than ever before.”

And that just may be the ticket to another 40 years of the Chamber Music Series. With multiple viewing options, the magic of the orchestra knows no boundaries. Residential homes for the elderly were able to broadcast the music to their patients, bringing joy into their quarantined lives. Subscribers who were not able to be in Beaufort did not miss a beat. Furthermore, the OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) program at USCB held “Music Appreciation” sessions in advance of each concert to share the stories behind the composers and their works.

Without fail and with much gratitude, the network of musicians buzzed with interest. Many were able to take advantage of the unique opportunity to play their instruments for an audience once again.
“From the musician’s standpoint, we cherish our growing chamber music family — the warmth that glows every time we get together, the sense of celebration and discovery, of mutual affection and inspiration,” says Artistic Director Andrew Armstrong. “It is one of the greatest gifts I have found in this life, and I hope it goes on forever.”

Indeed, the 2020-2021 season was welcomed by musicians and patrons, who all sought joyous moments in times of quarantine. The music was therapeutic, and even Lila admits it was amazing to watch through the livestream option.

“It was almost like being there,” she said. “But finally, after getting my vaccine, I did get to attend the final concert of the 41st season in person at the Center for the Arts. It was just magical.”

And she wasn’t the only one who thought so. A long-time supporter who attended virtually all season hesitantly went to an in-person concert after receiving his vaccine, planning only to stay until intermission.That Sunday, he felt so at peace with every chord that was played that he knew leaving at intermission was out of the question. He enjoyed every second and afterward sent a note to tell his story. The meaning behind the concerts was expressed through the power of a handwritten note that stated, “This concert was the highlight of my entire year.”

Perhaps it is magic to be swept away by the classical instruments, their melodies, and chords playing to the hearts of so many. Time after time, those who enjoy the concerts remark about the wonder they create. For centuries, people have been sustained and entertained by the music of the masters played brilliantly — no matter what forces are at work in the world about them.

“I remember one April evening in particular,” says Staci, “when the concert ended with a performance of a Tchaikovsky piece performed by Jennifer Frautschi, Andrew Armstrong, and Edward Arron to conclude the 2016-2017 season. People walked past me in the lobby in tears. It was one of the many times I saw how connected our audience was to the music and to the performers. Our Chamber Music patrons tell me year after year that the concerts just get better and better.”

Making it through the 41st season of the series was a celebratory moment for the musicians, whom Dr. Panu touted as both talented and brave, and also for the devoted fans and supporters, who could easily be described as such.

It was an extra-special moment at the final concert, with Lila now back in the audience, when a flutist and harpist joined the violinist and pianist. The instruments were playing perfectly together, collectively sparking emotion in those whose ears were filled with the melodious sounds. It was the biggest concert the musicians had played for an audience in over a year, and they responded brilliantly.

Opening the evening’s program, the artistic director thanked the series for the opportunity to play live and virtually, and expressed this hope: “May the pieces performed for you today provide a sense of peace in their delicate beauty.” And that is just what loyal listeners, both in the hall and afar, felt through the beautiful music. Lila would like to think that all who have made the series possible through the years — from founder Mary Whisonaut to new director Andy Armstrong — would be proud of its vibrant pandemic season and hopeful grand future.

USCB FRIENDS of CHAMBER MUSIC ADVISORY BOARD
Bruce Fryer
Weezie Gibson
Michael Johns
Russell Jeter
Jill Kammermeyer
Lainey Lortz
John Mahoney
Lila Meeks
Peggy Reynolds
Wayne Reynolds
Drew Scallan
Bailey Symington
Leslie Thorne

To learn more about the Beaufort Chamber Music Series and its musicians, supporters, and initiatives, visit:    http://www.uscbchambermusic.com/