For more than a hundred years, St. Cecilia Music Center had been known for its promotion of the appreciation, performance and study of music. When Cathy Holbrook returned to Grand Rapids 13 years ago to take over the helm of one of the oldest music institutions in the nation, she had no intention of changing that mission, just expanding on it.
Thirteen years later, the fruits of her labor can be seen and heard as the building at 24 Ranson Ave. NE has been renovated and through partnerships with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Acoustic Café radio show, St. Cecilia’s music offerings have grown as well.
In this edition of “Locally Entertaining,” Holbrook talks about her journey as St. Cecilia’s executive director and how chicken wings, martinis and thinking outside of the box allowed her to bring in some of the biggest names in the musical world, from David Finckel (who with his wife Wu Han serve as artistic directors for St. Cecilia’s classical series) to legendary singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash, while keeping ticket prices, $40 – $55, so reasonable.
The St. Cecilia Music Center season kicks off with country and folk singer Lee Ann Womack on Oct. 3. Also in October is Judy Collins on Oct. 20. For a complete list of performers for each of the series, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Spectacular Jazz Series, and the Acoustic Café Folk Series, visit scmc-online.org.
