As the arts scene continues to flourish in Grand Rapids, the city’s oldest music society has made a move to put West Michigan among the world’s top chamber music communities.

St. Cecilia’s Music Center had announced a partnership with world-renown musicians Wu Han and David Finckel. The married pianist and cellist are currently the artistic directors at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, a position that they also now hold in Grand Rapids.

“It all started last year when we came to perform,” Wu said. “After seeing and hearing the beautiful hall we decided to start this project.”

The project will consist of the two musicians scheduling and setting the direction for the chamber music performances at St. Cecilia. St. Cecilia is hoping this move will help continue their mission of bring world-class musicians to Grand Rapids.

“These two really have their finger on the pulse of the world’s music scene,” said Cathy Holbrook, executive director of St. Cecilia Music Center.

Currently Wu and Finckel perform about 200 concerts a year, amassing a network of musicians and composers that could immediately impact Grand Rapids’ music scene.

“We are musicians,” Wu said. “So we know music inside and out. This is why we can help this group.”

Holbrook attributes St. Cecilia’s music hall for much of Wu and Finckel’s motivation to partner with the music center.

“Musicians from all around the world consistently rank our hall in the top 10 they have ever played,” Holbrook said. “They now know this hall so well they can specifically tailor concerts to the venue.”

Wu agreed that the hall was unlike most others that she performs on.

“As soon as I walked in I knew Grand Rapids had something special,” Wu said. “The acoustics of the concert hall are first class.”

Wu also said she was more than impressed with the audience in Grand Rapids.

“I play 200 shows a year so I know this place is special,” Wu said. “Grand Rapids has a great audience.”

Wu and Finckel have honed their chamber music organizing skills as Artistic Directors for the Chamber Music Society at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. This premier society is located in the largest performing arts facility in the world. Wu and Finckel will continue their duties in New York while they do the same for Grand Rapids.

The couple and St. Cecilia have agreed on a three-year trial period for the partnership, but both parties hope it continues long after the three years.

“Grand Rapids has something special,” Wu said. “They have a hall and audience deserving of the caliber of performances at the Lincoln Center.”

Holbrook also said that Grand Rapids will be seeing these acts at a low price.

“This will be the most economical way to see and hear these performers because we have decided to not raise our ticket prices,” Holbrook said.

Wu and Finckel’s schedule will start in November, but the Chamber Music Series at St. Cecilia has multiple concerts before their debut. On April 12 the hall will host the Jupiter Quartet playing selections from composers Haydn, Ravel and Schubert.

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