Organizational History

Incorporated in July 1998, the Equinox Chamber Players ensemble is one of St. Louis' finest performing chamber music groups.

After careful research and with a unified goal of both educating and entertaining people in the varieties of music that exist throughout the world, they have developed a diverse repertoire to reach people of all ages and backgrounds and to embrace the musical heritages of many ethnic traditions. Their growing repertoire includes music of North America, Africa, Asia, South America and Europe.

The Equinox Chamber Players are committed to commissioning new works and have premiered over a dozen new works from around the world.

Highlights of 2001-2002

• St. Louis Earth Day 2002, a week-long celebration of animals, insects, the earth and people through music. Equinox Chamber players performed recitals and workshops throughout St. Louis with composer John Lampkin in residence. Music of Lampkin (Mid-West premiere), Walt Disney’s Sherman brothers, Schonfeld (U.S.A. premiere), Bimstein and others .
• FESAAM 2002-New Orleans, The International Consortium for Music of Africa and Its Diaspora presented the Festival of African and African American Music at Dillard University, featuring the Equinox Chamber Players in recital. Music of Weathersby, Coltrane, Tamasuza, Handy and others.
• FESAAM 2001-St. Louis, The International Consortium for Music of Africa and Its Diaspora presented the Festival of African and African American Music. Equinox Chamber Players commissioned and premiered Three African Portraits by composer Lucius Weathersby, ispired by the artwork of Dr. Willie Hooker. (shown on display). Equinox Chamber Players performed recitals and workshops throughout St. Louis with composer Lucius Weathersby in residence. Music of Weathersby (world premiere), Curtis, W.G. Still, Joplin, Armstrong and others.
• St. Louis Symphony Community Partnership Program presented Equinox Chamber Players at Powell Hall. Music of Liadov, Beethoven, Reicha and others.
• Premiere of the PBS documentary Continental Harmony, Oct. 2001, with the Equinox Chamber players prominently featured.
• Shepley Music Program of Music and Art, recital featuring the Equinox Chamber Players. Music of Walker, Vosbein and Roux.
• Valentine's Day concert for members of OASIS-BJC PLUS at the Clayton Center. Music of Ravel, Faure, Ibert and others.

Highlights of 2000-2001

• Fair Saint Louis, World premiere of The Bushy Wushy Rag, written for the Equinox Chamber Players, by Phillip Kent Bimstein, in culmination of the national project Continental Harmony; Music for the New Millennium.
• KWMU Radio Interview with Mark Manelli, the Equinox Chamber Players and composer Phillip Kent Bimstein.
• Equinox Chamber Players in recital at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, Meremac Campus, sponsored by the E. Desmond Lee Music Education Collaborative-University of Missouri, St. Louis. Music of John Steinmetz (Mid-West premiere).
• Arts in the City, workshops and concert with the Equinox Chamber Players and Phillip Kent Bimstein, at Crossroads School as our Host Partner.
• The Equinox Chamber Players and Phillip Kent Bimstein presented as many as fifteen workshops and concerts throughout the St. Louis City and County regions, sponsored by Oasis-BJC Plus, the E. Desmond Lee Music Education Collaborative-University of Missouri, St. Louis, Delmar-Harvard School, Tyler Presbyterian church, Evangelical United Church of Christ, Crossroads School and The Shepley Music Program of Music and Art.