Curated Texan
SPONSORED POST
Photography courtesy of ATX Chamber Music And Jazz
Every year, Toast of the Town curates a phenomenal selection of parties that are truly one-of-a-kind experiences to raise money for a critical cause. It’s a 40-plus-year tradition that helps fund one of the largest health-focused scholarships in the country, the St. David’s Foundation’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship Program.
One of the most distinctive soirées featured in this year’s extraordinary line-up of events is in collaboration with ATX Chamber Music and Jazz, a Central Texas non-profit that has reimagined concert experiences to build community through socially engaged musical events. It was founded with the desire to combat two issues: the loneliness and isolation of people across the country and the waning interest in classical music.
Founder Dr. Geoffrey Herd, CEO and co-artistic director of ATX Chamber Music and Jazz said that after participating in two moving house concerts, “We then had an idea: What if Austin, as the Live Music Capital of the World, gave birth to an innovative concert format that combined the artistry of the greatest living artists with engaging and stimulating social events—from whiskey tastings to cultural fairs to holiday celebrations and more?” By fusing world-class performances with vibrant social experiences, ATX Chamber Music and Jazz was born.
Dr. Herd continued, “By making Austin a regular stopping point for the world’s top classical and jazz artists, we create spaces where our community can join together and share in the communal experience of world-class music.”
This Toast of the Town event will echo the heart of the organization’s mission and vision. Against the gorgeous backdrop of Kristi and Blake Stanford’s lakeside home, the evening will commence with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a buffet dinner prepared by Certified Executive Chef Bertrand Goutelon. Chef Goutelon began training at age 14 with Michelin-star chefs in Paris, London, and New York. His exquisitely prepared dinner will fuse the best of French cuisine with Texas flavors, using locally produced, organic ingredients.
Following the dinner, the evening’s elegance will be punctuated by a private musical salon with the Juilliard String Quartet and ATX Chamber Music and Jazz Co-Artistic Director and pianist Anna Petrova. The Juilliard String Quartet is an 80-year tradition that was hailed by The Boston Globe as “the most important American quartet in history.”
“We are thrilled to host the Juilliard String Quartet (JSQ) to conclude our second season!” remarked Herd. “The JSQ is the String Quartet in Residence at the Juilliard School in New York City. They have been one of the leading string quartets since their formation in 1946, and continue their legacy performing throughout the world, while educating the next generation of classical musicians at the Juilliard School.”
“They will perform a small preview concert on Friday night for the Toast of the Town audience and give the final performance of our season the following evening,” continued Herd. “What makes the JSQ so special is its ability to balance tradition and innovation. They draw on a deep engagement with classical masterworks while championing new compositions—a vibrant combination of the familiar and the daring. Their performances reflect the four members’ profound understanding, total commitment, and unceasing curiosity in sharing the wonders of the string quartet literature. Having them here in Austin represents exactly the kind of world-class artistry we aim to bring to our community.”
The party reflects a beautiful philanthropic partnership as ATX Chamber Music and Jazz is committed to making Central Texas a better place to live for all. It is breaking down barriers to art access, while St. David’s Foundation works to ensure the region has accessible health care. Remarking on the Toast of the Town collaboration, Dr. Herd said, “St. David’s Foundation is a powerful force for good with similar goals in making our community healthier, stronger, and breaking down barriers for success. Their commitment to healthcare equity and community wellbeing resonates deeply with our belief that music and cultural experiences should be accessible to all Austinites, regardless of circumstance. We’ve witnessed firsthand how transformative artistic experiences can be for those who might otherwise never enter a concert hall. Similarly, the St. David’s Foundation creates pathways to essential services that transform lives. Austin wouldn’t be the same without their generosity and comprehensive approach to community care. We are proud to be part of their fundraising efforts and to contribute to a vision of Austin where everyone has the opportunity to thrive—both in health and in cultural enrichment.”
This event is one of 20 Toast of the Town parties lined up for May. For more information about the events, go to: www.toastaustin.org. For more information about ATX Chamber Music and Jazz, go to: atxmusic.com.
