by Debra Sherrill
For the past 6 summers, I have been invited to perform with the St. Augustine Music Festival in St. Augustine, Florida, USA. The SAMF was founded in 2007 by violist Jorge A. Peña and cellist Jin Kim-Peña. Chamber music concerts are held each June in St. Augustine at the historic Cathedral Basilica. All concerts are free of charge and are open to the general public.
SAMF is a special place for me. I have so many wonderful memories working with amazing musicians whom I am honored to call friends and colleagues. Jorge and Jin create a family atmosphere with an international flare, bringing in musicians from around the world to participate. Three highlight performances for me were performing the Bach-Brandenburg Concerto #1, the Herzogenberg-Trio for oboe, horn and piano op.61 and the Spohr- Nonet. I also love that the SAMF supports new music. In 2015 in commemoration of St. Augustine's 450th Anniversary, the SAMF commissioned a work by Piotr Szewczyk titled the St. Augustine Suite as a gift to the city.
