Today we’d like to introduce you to LeeAnne Chenoweth Lawson.
Hi LeeAnne, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a small Oklahoma town; Enid! Starting violin lessons at age 5, my parents knew by the time I was 12, they needed to be taking me to Tulsa for lessons with the Tulsa Symphony concertmaster. There were many summers at music camps, a year spent with a violin teacher in Houston, and then I went on to receive a degree in violin performance from SMU. After graduation, I worked in the Dallas Opera Orchestra for a season, and then there was a violin opening in Ft Worth Symphony. I loved the opera work, but it only employs musicians about half of the year. The Ft W Symphony job is year round, full time, and I really wanted it! I auditioned and won! I was ecstatic after having several audition losses at other orchestra auditions around the country. I worked in FWSO from the 90s until 2007. During my orchestral career, I shared the stage with great classical artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Van Cliburn, Yo-Yo Ma, Pavoratti, Joshua Bell, Time For Three, and more. Plus, pops artists as diverse as Natalie Cole, Marvin Hamlisch, Pink Martini, Johnny Cash, The Beatles tribute band “Classical Mystery Tour” and even accompanying members of Cirque du Soleil.
After my husband and I grew tired of the symphony lifestyle; my having to play concerts Friday and Saturday nights, (although rehearsals are daytime weekdays) as well as Sunday matinees 40 weeks of the year, he encouraged me to go out on my own! In early 2007, I imagined a chamber music series like Timeless Concerts, began planning, and produced my first concert summer 2007 in Arlington. I left FWSO; my dream of making a concert series with piano and strings, plus vocalists, in an intimate, and social atmosphere came true.
Timeless Concerts received non-profit status and is a 501c3 organization. We keep tickets as affordable as we can, by receiving grants and gifts. T C is always in a smaller and casual feeling setting; being acoustic, we play in event centers that don’t seat more than 200. Our Ft. Worth location is the Holt Hickman Center, and currently our Arlington location is River Legacy Nature Center. We have a post-concert party with complimentary wine and soft drinks, making us a favorite date night, or group outing with friends, but also a good way to introduce youth to concerts since the concerts are only one hour. In 2010, I was honored by Legacy Of Women of Tarrant County, arts division. Timeless performs 10 Saturday nights per year, so I combine other work in my schedule. I currently work as a regular with Waco Symphony, where in 2015 I collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma, in 2017 with superstar soprano Renee Fleming and recently with international concert violinist Ray Chen. I am considered a free-lance musician, as someone who does not have a full time symphony job. Therefore, I also have my Chenoweth Musicians business, contracting ensembles for various events.
I contract ensembles for special events throughout Texas; some examples being wine tastings at the Anatole, Christmas parties at the Ft. Worth Club, weddings and parties in a variety of locations from the Ritz Hotel to a family ranch. I also contract orchestras for various churches and choral organizations.
My violin was made approximately in 1848 by French violinmaker, Nicolas Vuillaume, and has a special beautiful sound that is noticed by many. My passion is to keep beautiful music alive to be heard by future generations. I frequently perform free educational programs in schools, encouraging children to appreciate music of all eras, pointing out that composers of movie music they enjoy were influenced by the classics. John Williams was inspired by Beethoven and Holst. Hear more about my mission in the promotional video on the home page of the Timeless Concerts website. www.timelessconcerts.com.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Regarding my musicians contracting business, there is the reality that many live music groups are being replaced by a D J, but there is still a market for live string quartets and orchestras; just not as much as in my earlier years. Church weddings are the most common jobs for string quartets, although we do play for some corporate jobs. Recently, we played German music for Central Market’s “Passport Germany” food event.
As for my nonprofit organization, Timeless Concerts, there is always a struggle with the budget. Just like larger nonprofit organizations, such as the professional symphonies, we need grants to keep ticket prices reasonable and competitive, as ticket sales only cover half of our expenses if tickets are priced sensibly. Sometimes you don’t get the grant you expect, and hope that your business donors come to the rescue. We have more expenses than the professional performers’ fees; we must pay the venue rent, transportation for the grand piano, pay for printed programs. ads and our ticket company eblasts, and other smaller expenses. We have been blessed by some loyal donors willing to help if we ask, but know better than to take them for granted, as their circumstances could change. Those who are fans of Timeless Concerts really love these evenings, and rarely miss a concert! Another struggle is getting new people to try us. Once they come, they are hooked, but if they are symphony fans, sometimes it is hard for them to believe just how great a small ensemble of piano, violin, viola and cello can sound!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I admit that I am more enthusiastic about my Timeless Concerts organization than my business of contracting musicians for private events. I am in control of the artistic decisions for my concert series, rather than playing what a particular customer wants, although it does feel very good to make a bride happy with her wedding music! For my Timeless Concerts, I choose music that is written by composers who want to showcase the beauty of what our instruments can do, Timeless is know for extreme variety, In the same concert, our music could span 300 years! On our Germany to Austria theme concert we are playing music of Bach (born 1658) and living composer Hans Zimmer! We have themes such as Evening in Germany, Evening in France, Music of the Spanish Language (featuring Mexican, Cuba and Spanish composers), and feature more parts of the world. We have also had a themes with music written about nature or classical music found in movies.
We appeal not only to those who love piano and strings, but also to those who love great singers. For example, on Italian Night, we’ll feature a professional operatic soprano and tenor and accompany them on beautiful Puccini opera arias as well as popular Italian songs, and the instrumentalists will play Vivaldi or music of other Italian composers. Sometimes we’ll feature a more contemporary composer, such as Mancini of Italian descent. Our upcoming concerts Nov. 8 and 15 theme is “Germany to Austria.” Every February we have a Valentines Special and Fundraiser, our only fundraiser. For these special concerts we charge a bit more for tickets, have catered desserts and charcuterie bites, and play a great variety concert from tangos of Argentina to romantic music. Our audience who keep returning love the smaller venues, being up close to the performers, and being able to stay and relax after the concert with wine or soft drinks, while giving their music requests to our post-concert pianist. I am very particular about hiring the most talented professional performers; we will feel stress at times as we are perfectionists, but we also have fun. We are unique as we like to talk with the audience, giving the translation if needed for songs, and telling the story of the songs, or telling interesting stories about the composers.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have always been eager to ask advice about everything and anything. When I knew Timeless Concerts needed to become a nonprofit organization, I went to a friend who worked in the offices of Ft Worth Symphony. She trained me a bit about writing grants, as did my friend at WRR 101.1 the Classical station, who also helped me learn about advertising effectively. Nonprofit orgs can be very competitive about receiving grant money, so I didn’t go to other concert orgs. for advice. I did realize that as a concert producer and promoter, I was in a sort of sales position. Those in sales need to know people and be sociable. To run a nonprofit, you must love people. I do love people; I’m definitely not a loner. I need to practice my violin many hours a day, alone, and I do get lonely, especially since my office is my home! I always look forward to our Friday morning Timeless Concerts rehearsals, and to the times I play with Waco Symphony. Many symphony musicians do stay in their own little world, though, and don’t have an understanding about business. My dad was a successful business man, and after watching him, I know I need to know and love people! My dad was certainly not an introvert! There is my church, yes, but of course it’s inappropriate to push my concerts at church. I needed to know more people in the community. I joined a women’s business networking group in the first year of TC, then traded that for membership in my local Rotary Club. My dad was a Rotarian when I was a kid, and I was curious. I love it that my membership fees go to do good in the world, from clean water wells in poor countries, to building schools that collapsed in earthquakes, and supporting local food pantries and other charities. There are volunteer opportunities, too, I love Rotary. The people there are warm and wonderful, and appreciate the beautiful arts. Nonprofits like myself are allowed to announce our needs or upcoming events at the beginning of each meeting. So, I advice anyone with a business or a nonprofit org to find a community group or organization to join! You not only help others, but meet people who will support you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.timelessconcerts.com
- Instagram: Timeless Concerts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timelessconcerts/
- LinkedIn: LeeAnne Chenoweth Lawson
- Other: https://chenowethmusicians.com
Image Credits
The very first, more formal photo was taken by Lisa Torres of New Photo Concepts. The rest were taken by myself or board members.
