TONIGHT: The Ritz Chamber Players Open 15th Season to Sold Out Audience

Anticipation builds as hundreds of music lovers await The Ritz Chamber Players' debut concert of its milestone 15th season.

The world-class musicians will open their Orlando Concert Series to a sold out audience tonight, Saturday, Oct. 22. Nearly 200 people are on a wait list.

In 2002, Terrance Patterson, executive director and world renown clarinetist, created the Ritz Chamber Players (RCP), the nation's only concert series featuring an all African-American chamber music group. With performances broadcast in more than 40 countries, The RCP are recognized internationally for changing the face of a traditional classical music ensemble.

Tony Jenkins, Florida Blue Orlando market president and RCP Orlando Board Chair, said it was in the works for a few years to get The Players to begin a series in the Orlando area. "We knew we had an audience for it and wouldn't have a problem filling the seats," said Jenkins. "We are excited to be able to showcase this caliber of programing, educational offering, and unique musical styling that The Players will bring to our community."

Show date: Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016

Show time: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater

445 S. Magnolia Avenue

Orlando, Fla. 32801

Join the wait list here. The event is free, family friendly, and open to the public.

According to Terrance Patterson, The Ritz Chamber Players executive director, The Players will be performing at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts a few more select dates throughout their 15th season. Visit ritzchamberplayers.org for more information on upcoming performances.

The Ritz Chamber Players was founded in 2002 to foster the appreciation of chamber music through performances and educational outreach featuring preeminent African-American musicians and composers, with an emphasis on building audiences and arts inclusion that reflects our diverse society. The name derives from The Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum, which celebrates the rich legacy of the African-American community that thrived in Jacksonville, Florida's LaVilla district for more than 100 years.

The Ritz Chamber Players held their début concert at New York's Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall to a standing room only crowd.

The ensemble made its international radio début on the BBC World Service and WYNC New York with a concert broadcast to more than 40 countries, and their first national television appearance on the 37th Annual NAACP Image Awards. The Ritz Chamber Players musicians have been guests on National Public Radio's, "The Tavis Smiley Show," and are regular guests of the Madison and Amelia Island Chamber Music Festivals.

For more information, visit www.ritzchamberplayers.org.

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