Chamber Music at the VBMA: An Interview with Brian Stanley, Director of Artistic Operations, Atlantic Classic Orchestra

Full series and individual concert tickets are on sale now.

This weekend, the 17th season of the celebrated partnership between the Vero Beach Museum of Art and the Atlantic Classical Orchestra begins. Three performances comprise this year’s series—one in January, one in February, and one in March.

In this interview, Brian Stanley, Director of Artistic Operations at Atlantic Classic Orchestra, discusses his role with the ACO and provides insight into this year’s Chamber Music Series.

Stanley—This position oversees all necessary arrangements for producing an entire orchestra or chamber ensemble concert. It begins with securing venues for rehearsals and performances, contracting the orchestra musicians, hiring guest soloists, and keeping track of everyone!

I also manage our stage crew and music librarian, as well as prepare budgets and payroll for the orchestra. The Music Director, Executive Director, and I are in close contact to ensure that our productions are of the highest quality possible.

VBMA—How long have you been with the Orchestra?

Stanley—I began in 2007 as Principal Trumpet and as Director of Artistic Operations in 2018.

ACO’s schedule includes three performances at the Museum (January, February, and March) that comprise our chamber music series. Tell us about this unique series.

Stanley—Our chamber music series is another opportunity for our patrons and audience members to hear our many talented musicians in a smaller, more intimate setting. The repertoire is vast and exciting, which excites our musicians and allows them to work amongst themselves without a conductor. Providing audiences with completely different music than played by the full orchestra and being in such close proximity to the performers is a bonus for them, too!

VBMA—How did you select the repertoire for this season’s chamber music series?

Stanley—Our Music Director shapes the overall chamber season and seeks input from the musicians to include their input. This is a truly collaborative effort that enlists creative thinking from all parties involved.

VBMA—What do you hope audiences take away from the chamber music series?

Stanley—I hope that it opens up the way people hear and view our musical offerings and encourages them to listen more on their own. Of course, we would love to see them attend all of our concerts and get to know our musicians personally.

VBMA—What would you say to someone attending a chamber music performance at the VBMA for the first time?

Stanley—I would ask them to attend with no preconceived notions about classical music and just to listen intently. Leave the outside world outside and allow the music to transport them to a peaceful place and see how it makes them feel.

VBMA—ACO has dozens of musicians. Who will be featured at the concerts at VBMA?

Stanley—This season we feature a piano trio (violin, cello piano), string quartet, and brass quintet—a nice cross-section drawn from the full orchestra.

VBMA—The partnership between ACO and VBMA is entering its 17th year. What does the Orchestra like best about including VBMA as a venue?

Stanley—The auditorium at VMBA is a great venue for this type of concert as its acoustics and size lend themselves very nicely to chamber music. In the past, we have also collaborated on presenting programs that connect art with music. This is a challenging and rewarding effort and we always welcome meeting and performing for new audiences that may not be familiar with the Atlantic Classical Orchestra.