2021: Proud of Our Accomplishments
In the Second Year of the Pandemic
As we look back at highlights of 2021 – even with only 2 small tours instead of 50-60 and barely any income from our central work of concert touring – we are proud of our efforts to be a positive force in the music industry and in our community.
17 innovative accomplishments in 2021:

  • Directed and produced The Inauguration Fanfares for President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris, conducted by Marin Alsop and featuring 14 professional musicians from leading orchestras across the country. This virtual performance was watched by over 300,000. Listen Here
  • Launched a “Hire a Musician” campaign in February to help bring attention to classical musicians who lost all their work due to Covid

  • Received a 7-0 vote from both the Alexandria City Council and the City Planning Commission to be allowed to host live concerts in our Secret Garden. It was an exasperating experience with an absurd amount of paperwork and meetings, but we were cheered by the outpouring of support from our community and artists, as well as the members of the City Planning Commission and Council, whom we hope will support us again as we repeat this process in February 2022.
  • Presented 55 live music concerts in our Secret Garden of The Rectory in Alexandria featuring 147 musicians (more than 2/3 were women and/or musicians of color) performing 215 works of music by 141 composers – attended by 2113 audience members in Old Town Alexandria. This brings our total number of live concerts up to 95 since the pandemic.
  • Produced the live-streamed Concert for India featuring eight accomplished Indian-American classical musicians, in solidarity with the resilient and beautiful people of India during a time of extreme hardship and sorrow. It was watched live on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook by over 47,000 people

  • Presented a Juneteenth Celebration concert on June 17th, 2021, the very day President Biden signed into law that Juneteenth will now be an American federal government holiday

  • Imagined and executed the first post-covid choral tour, a “Choral Escape” with the "Choir of Hope & Harmony" who sang a concert in Santa Fe, New Mexico with violinist Lauren Roth and tenor Thomas Cilluffo of Santa Fe Opera, conducted by Jeffrey Douma of Yale University, and accompanied by Erika Schroth
  • Two world premieres of choral works we commissioned by Female composers - Brittney Boykin of Spelman College premiered by the Choral Arts Society of Washington Chamber Singers presented in our concert series and Arianne Abela of Amherst College premiered by the Yale Glee Club
  • Hosted a fundraising event for a young Venezuelan high school musician, initiated by several NSO musicians. The event raised enough funds to cover her tuition to the prestigious music program at the Interlochen Center for the Arts

  • Hosted a panel discussion and fundraiser for recently arrived Afghanistan refugee musicians and journalists, who had escaped persecution and danger
  • Our 230-year-old building, Rectory on Princess Street hosted 55 concerts, 17 wedding ceremonies or elopements, 1 proposal, 4 style photoshoots, 4 movie shoots, 1 garden party, and 3 gala receptions.
  • Hosted our first ever Musical Movements for Change Garden Gala Dinner, Concert & Auction.

  • Slowly and steadily concert tour contracts are being signed for tours in 2022. Although this is nowhere near what we would normally have, we are happy to see this positive turn of events and the return of concert touring and travel
While we prepare to say farewell to 2021, Classical Movements offers you a choral and brass musical offering, to truly get you into the festive spirit.

Enjoy this selection of holiday favorites from four of our live holiday concerts in 2020 performed live in the Secret Garden at the Rectory on Princess Street!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for 12 more musical excerpts,
starting on Christmas Day, December 25!
Live Concerts in the Secret Garden
The music is not over at the historic Rectory on Princess Street. Our 2022 season - features stellar artists returning by popular demand and world-class musicians making their first appearances in the Secret Garden.

Concerts are presented outdoors, following the innovative format that Classical Movements introduced to allow for safe concert experiences: featuring hour-long musical programs presented without an intermission for limited, socially distanced, masked audiences presented in the enchanting surroundings of the Secret Garden at the Rectory, with patio heaters for comfort in colder weather.

Saturday, January 22 - Savory Soiree: "A Chopin Salon in the Atrium" - A Polish evening with a French Accent
Tuesday, March 22 – Chamber: Musicians from the National Symphony
Thursday, March 31 – Art Songs: Shana Oshiro, soprano
Thursday, April 7 – Solo Recital: Amit Peled, cello
Thursday, April 14 – Opera & Zarzuela with IN Series: Judy Yannini, soprano 
Thursday, April 21 – Bluegrass: Ken Kolodner, hammered dulcimer & fiddle | Brad Kolodner, banjo
Tuesday, May 3 – Chamber: Musicians from the National Symphony
Thursday, May 12 – Early Music: Ronn McFarlane, lute | Carolyn Surrick, viola 
Thursday, May 19 – Solo Recital: Vijay Venkatesh, piano
Thursday, May 26 – Jazz: Nuage Rhythm
Thursday, June 16 – Juneteenth Celebration: with the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts
This series is presented with the generous support of:
George & Patti White | Carolyn Fuller | Linda Bunce | Louise Meng
Letitia Long | Tara Hardiman & Roger Jackson | Mitchell Hertz & Anne Carlucci | Suzanne Brock | Jurgen and Susan Gobien | John H. Hart |
Musical Movements for Change
Read what the Washingtonian wrote about our series:
"You can enjoy Bach or Billie Holiday amid boxwoods at performances put on by Classical Movements in the Secret Garden of the Rectory on Princess Street in Old Town. The lineup includes choral music, cabaret, jazz, opera, tango, and more."
“This hidden gem provided a peaceful sanctuary and world-class
performances throughout the pandemic. It keeps our souls alive.”
Support Concerts in the Secret Garden
Looking for a way to support concerts in the Secret Garden?
Please consider a tax-deductible donation, which you can make HERE or by mailing a check to Musical Movements for Change, 711 Princess St, Suite 3A, Alexandria, VA 22314

For more information about ways to sponsor, please reach out to Adam@ClassicalMovements.com.
We Remain the Leading Concert Tour Company to 145 Countries
National Symphony Orchestra on tour in Madrid, Spain
Classical Movements has been the premier concert touring company since 1992, and we're proud to be as strong as ever, ready to work with all our dear clients and friends on travel around the world.
  • Small upfront financial commitments
  • Payment options for individuals
  • "Cancel For Any Reason" insurance is back!
  • Unique and Custom Tours for Groups and Individuals
  • Expert Staff Retained Throughout the Pandemic
  • COVID Safety Protocols
  • Financial Stability and Trustworthy Business Practices
  • Unique Cultural Insights
  • Industry-Leading Musical and Travel Expertise
  • Close Professional Contacts Around the World
Don't miss the boat (or the plane...)!
Classical Movements is looking ahead with excitement and hope for the 2022 touring season. We have several contracts signed for tours in the Spring and Summer of 2022, and over forty more are being planned!

We are moving forward -- come with us!
"Travel is certainly less carefree these days, but Classical Movements makes every conceivable effort to ensure that everyone is safe at all times." 
- Richard, August 2021 CM choir tour passenger (Santa Fe, NM)
Let Classical Movements plan a collaborative concert tour for your Orchestra or Choir!