Our History

View or download the entire history of what we’ve performed (PDF).

View or download the entire historical list of our players, officers and board members. (PDF).

1966

The group is founded.
8 concerts in the Sterling School Dining Hall
Founding members:
Ann Rylands, Mary Lou Rylands, Allan Birney, and Mary Anthony Cox
First concert was an audience of 35 people

1967

1968

1969

In its 3rd season the original ensemble (Allan Birney, piano, Ann Rylands, violin, Mary Anthony Cox, piano, Mary Lou Rylands, cello) grew to include Barbara Sucoff, piano, Herbert Sucoff, clarinet, Phillip Isaacson, harpsichord, Janice Baty, violin, and Kathryn Plummer, viola

Officers:
Allan Birney, Executive director, Ann Rylands, Musical Directo,r Herbert Sucoff, Education Director, Phillip Isaacson, Business Manager, Burt C. Stone, Jr. Treasurer

Board of Directors: Brooks Barron, Francis P. Colburn, Philip H. Gray, Luther Gulick, William Maier, Charles Morrissey, Francis W. Roudenbush, Richard Smyth

Friends of the Chamber Players: Arthur and Emily Perry, co-chairmen

1970

Move to the Hardwick Town House

1971

1973

1974

1975

1978

1979

1980

1981

1982

Begin playing concerts in Burlington, presenting a 2^nd performance of the week’s program at St. Paul’s Cathedral

1983

Mary Anthony Cox becomes Executive Director. In 1989 her title is changed to Music Director. She holds this position until 2014.

1984

1985

1986

Move from 8 concerts to 6 per summer

1987

1988

1990

Burlington performances split between Champlain College Alumni Auditorium and the UVM Recital Hall

1991

Move from St Paul’s Cathedral to the Champlain College as the Burlington venue

1994

1995

All 6 Burlington concerts are held at the UVM Recital Hall

1997

A third performance of both the Children’s Concert and full evening program is added at the Burke Mountain Base Lodge on Friday evenings. This continues for the ’98 and ’99 seasons.

1998

2000

2001

A very successful “21st Century Campaign to Endow the Future” is launched. The Committee is comprised of: Thomas Woodward, Chair, Connell Gallagher, Philip Gray, Carol Hewitt, John McCormack, David Richards, Benson D. Scotch, and Edward R. Houston, ex officio