1954 members In 2021-2022, Venice Musicale celebrated 70 years of promoting quality music in the greater Venice area. Since it began in 1951, the organization has been dedicated to nurturing young musicians and enriching the musical community while providing performance opportunities for its members.
Our Beginnings
Originally named the Cecilian Music Society, an affiliate of the National Federation of Music Clubs, monthly meetings were held in private homes for music education programs. From a start of eight founding members, the club had 48 members by 1954 and was beginning to collaborate with area music, religious, and civic groups.
Rebecca Reale and
Andrew Bailey
A Tradition of Supporting Next-Generation Musicians
Promoting and supporting aspiring young musicians has always been a priority. Venice Musicale now grants awards for music studies in summer camps, first-year college, or private lessons to elementary through high school students from South Sarasota and Charlotte County. The program has awarded over $250,000 in scholarships. Notable scholarship winners are Rebecca Reale, now a first violinist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic; cellist Andrew Bailey, who first won at age ten; and current prodigy, then-eight-year-old pianist, Leo Chen.
To raise scholarship funds, individual members and ensembles perform throughout the community. Early ensembles included the semi-professional Cecilian Choral Ensemble; the Rainbows, open to all singers; and a speaking choir. Encore Chorus replaced those ensembles in the late 1990s, and Suncoast Duo Pianists joined Venice Musicale in 2018.
Thelma CohnNamed scholarships became another funding source when initiated in honor of Cecilian Ensemble director Margaret Strong. Other scholarships were named for Encore directors, Toni Samsel and Bill Antholz; beloved members Spier Collins, Pat Gallagher; and, Thelma Cohn, who continued playing the piano through age 100.
Still Going Strong
By 2010 the organization was renamed Venice Musicale and had left the Federation of Music Clubs, becoming an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Membership is open to any individual or organization who supports our mission.
Venice Musicale is noted for its annual series of monthly concerts and for members’ and guest performances in private community venues.
