The Forum, in collaboration with the St. John School of the Arts and Mid Atlantic Arts, will present the award-winning Merz Piano Trio in concert Saturday, Feb. 7, at Prior-Jollek Hall on the Antilles School Campus.
In addition to the St. Thomas performance, the Merz Piano Trio will also present a concert on St. John. The trio will perform at the St. John School of the Arts at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, as part of the same collaborative series.
The concert begins at 7 p.m., with the courtyard opening at 6 p.m. and light meals available from Amalia Café. Tickets are $30 for adults, $10 for teachers, $5 for students, and free for children.
The Merz Piano Trio, consisting of violinist Brigid Coleridge, cellist Julia Yang and pianist Amy Yang, has earned top honors from the Naumburg, Concert Artists Guild and Fischoff competitions and has appeared at major venues including Carnegie Hall and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.
“This is really about bringing the highest level of artistry to our community,” said Nicole Parsons, executive director of The Forum. “With chamber music at this level, it’s not just three musicians playing together, you hear one sound. That’s what the top musicians in the world are doing.”
The program, titled “Alma Mahler Goes West,” traces a musical journey from early 20th-century Vienna into the modern United States, pairing classical traditions with contemporary influences and concluding with one of Franz Schubert’s final works.
Parsons said the concert should be especially engaging for young people, because it shows how music moves from classical roots into contemporary sounds.
Parsons said the concert offers something for all listeners while reflecting the Forum’s commitment to young audiences. “Through our community outreach, we go to the schools to showcase music and inspire students to explore more than just playing their instrument in class,” she said.
Parsons also highlighted affordability as a key part of making the arts accessible. “We have special prices for teachers and students, and children under 12 are free,” she said, noting that educators play a critical role in exposing students to the arts. “Adult tickets are $30, and we also offer season tickets for those who can contribute more.”
For Parsons, the Merz Trio concert is part of a larger message about the role of the arts in the Virgin Islands and how this season of concerts explores identity and moves through different eras.
“What I want the community to know is that art is important,” she said. “We are living in such a challenging time, music binds people, shares emotions and doesn’t step away from anything. I know everyone in that hall, when the music is over, will have been enriched.”
Jeune’ Provost, executive director of the St. John School of the Arts, said bringing groups like the Merz Trio allows students to experience music they would not normally encounter.
“These performances give young people access to beautiful classical chamber music, which they wouldn’t normally have,” Provost said. “It’s not just for adults who enjoy this type of music; it’s for our students to see, hear and engage with the musicians. They can ask questions and experience a world they might not otherwise encounter.”
Provost added that the blend of classical and contemporary music makes the trio especially inspiring for students.
“They play classical chamber music, but they also bring a modern twist to some pieces,” she said. “It’s important for students to see that classical music has room for creativity and innovation.”
She noted that such exposure is especially meaningful on a small island. “These opportunities strengthen access to the arts, expand our exposure to different forms, and give students experiences that might be harder to find in the Virgin Islands than on the mainland,”
Beyond the artistry on stage, Provost emphasized the value of direct interaction between local youth and visiting musicians. “It gives our students a chance to share a bit of themselves and their culture with visiting artists, while also experiencing new music they might not otherwise encounter,” she said. “It’s a two-way exchange, and it fosters a love of music in our community.”
When discussing the importance of collaborations with organizations like Mid Atlantic Arts, The Forum, and the St. John School of the Arts, she said, “For us, it has always been collaboration over competition. If we can collaborate and pull our resources together, we bring more opportunities to our community. It strengthens our access to the arts. It strengthens our exposure to different art forms. It strengthens the opportunities we’re able to provide for students.”
“When organizations create these opportunities for our children to experience, that’s where the strength in exposure and learning comes from,” Provost added.
Tickets are available through The Forum. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theforumusvi.org/
