Venice Musicale is a non-profit, non-sectarian membership organization dedicated to presenting quality music to the public free of charge, and encouraging young area musicians by awarding scholarships for private lessons, summer music camps, or first-year college performance studies.
Free Concerts
Venice Musicale offers many opportunities for local listeners to experience excellent music. Free hour-long concerts, presented each month from October through April, feature solo and ensemble performances by member and guest artists. A fully classical concert is offered each November. Our Encore Chorus is featured in the December and March concerts. All programs are very diverse, featuring genres ranging from classical to popular, helping to generate support for our Scholarship Program through free-will offerings. Suncoast Duo Pianists, a performing ensemble also affiliated with Venice Musicale, also presents wonderfully entertaining four-hand piano programs as part of the concert season. See our current season for date, time, and location of each event.
Book a Concert
The Encore Chorus and Suncoast Duo Pianists are also perennial favorites of area organizations and residential communities looking for quality entertainment. These Venice Musicale ensembles are available to be booked for performances between November and April each year.
Scholarships for the Next Generation
Investing in the next generation of musicians through scholarship support has been the main emphasis of Venice Musicale's mission for nearly seven decades. Scholarships are funded through tax-deductible donations made by audience members attending our free monthly concerts, individual mail-in and on-line donations, designated scholarships established by individual donors, and other contributions.
Get Involved
Venice Musicale welcomes music lovers of all ages and backgrounds to join us in our mission by becoming an Individual or Family member. We also welcome Venice area social, fraternal, business, and professional organizations to become Sponsors. Our membership meetings occur 30 minutes prior to each monthly concert during the season.
History
Originally known as the Cecilian Music Society, Venice Musicale's first meeting was held on October 4, 1951, at the home of Venice resident Susan Hauser. Along with Hauser, the founding members were Emily Hightower, Ruth Higel, Sonya Terry, Betty Arnall, Mrs. Barry Wimbish, Mrs. H. L. Mandy, and Johanna Maier who served as the Society's first president. The Society dedicated itself to "music education," reflected by recitals of poetry, song, and prayer during their meetings.
