In honor of Czech Heritage Month, October 26, 2023, members of the general public were captivated by performances by the Apollo Chamber Players, along with special guests Lauren Spaulding - who played viola, and Norman Fischer - Professor of Cello at The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. The talented musicians performed music by Czech composer Antonín Dvorák - headlined by his folk-inspired Spring Sextet.
The members of the Apollo Chamber Players include: violinists Anabel Ramirez Detrick and Matthew J. Detrick, violist Aria Cheregosha, and cellist Matthew Dudzik. The Apollo Chamber Players is based in Houston, and the members pride themselves in performing with liveliness and rearranging music for a diverse generation through globally-inspired programming and multicultural new commissions. They were the recipient of Chamber Music America’s prestigious Residency Partnership award and have performed for sold-out audiences at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. The ensemble is frequently featured on American Public Media’s nationally syndicated program Performance Today.
Lauren Spaulding has established herself as a rising genre-defying soloist and chamber musician through her Instagram account (@MonochromeViola). She’s a Texas native and studied under the teachings of Professor Peter Slowik at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music as well as under Roger Tapping of the Julliard string quartet. Lauren Spaulding’s dedication to social advocacy was able to get her the privilege of performing at the White House in 2012. As a “Champion of Change”, President Obama recognized her for her contributions in utilizing music as a catalyst for positive social transformation.
Norman Fischer has performed in concerts in five different continents and in 49 of the 50 states in the U.S. He was the cellist with the Concord String Quartet during its 16-year career, and was the winner of the Naumburg Chamber Music Award, received two Grammy nominations along with an Emmy award. Norman Fischer is currently Herbert S. Autrey Professor of Cello and Director of Chamber Music at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston.
Czech Center Museum Houston would like to thank Diana Austin, Rev. Paul Chovanec, Adelma Graham, Sharon Schweitzer J.D., Valerie Sheppard, and William and Marie Vavrik for generously supporting our Czech Heritage Month programs.
