Join us for a special evening celebrating the excellence of women in chess and classical music as the WCHOF Music Series honors Women’s History Month. For this one-night-only collaboration between the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries and the Saint Louis Chess Club, chess players and musicians come together to explore the immense contributions of women to chess, art, and culture.

Featuring some of the finest Saint Louis-area musicians, this concert is an essential cultural event for music lovers and a highlight of the Saint Louis concerts calendar. The performance takes place at the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries, a unique Saint Louis museum and art gallery that offers an unforgettable atmosphere where strategic games meet sonic masterpieces.

The Program: Compositional Genius

  • Clara Schumann’s Piano Trio in G Minor: A beautifully crafted piece of chamber music, celebrated for its passion, texture, and elegant Romanticism.
  • Selections from Living Women Composers: Discover what you have been missing as the program features music by living women composers like Libby Larsen and Valerie Coleman.

The Performers: St. Louis Excellence

This exceptional evening features top Saint Louis-area collaborators joining WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods on piano. Washington University – St. Louis professors and Chamber Project St. Louis Directors Dana Hotle and Jennifer Gartley will perform exciting works from living composers Libby Larsen and Valerie Coleman. Violinist Rebecca Chung and cellist Davin Rubicz will join Woods for Clara Schumann’s passionate Piano Trio in G Minor.

The evening’s performers have curated this exceptional program, selecting pieces that reflect the WCHOF & Galleries’ mission to celebrate the intersection of art, culture, and high strategy.

Thematic Connection: Strategy and Rediscovery

In conjunction with the Saint Louis Chess Club’s commitment to women chess players, the WCHOF Music Series is proud to present this special program for Women’s History Month. The strategic brilliance required to compose complex chamber music like Schumann’s Trio mirrors the precise calculation and long-term vision of a Grandmaster. Like a piece overlooked in the opening stages of a game, this work is now being rediscovered as an essential part of the Romantic repertoire, celebrated for its enduring power and depth.

Special Guest Spotlight

In conjunction with the Saint Louis Chess Club’s commitment to women chess players, the WCHOF Music Series is proud to present this special program for Women’s History Month. Join us for a casual conversation with international chess stars IM Tatev Abrahamyan, WGM Thalia Cervantes, and IM Irene Sukandar as they share insights into the world of elite competitive chess. Much like the composers on tonight’s program, these women have reached the pinnacle of their craft, and they’ll discuss the dedication, strategy, and artistry required to perform at the highest level of excellence.

Venue, Tickets, and Full Schedule

Experience this concert surrounded by our incredible permanent and rotating art exhibitions and history exhibits.

Full Evening Schedule:

  • 5:30 PM: Doors Open (Cash bar available)
  • 6:00 PM: Artist Talk with WCHOF Music Director Brian Woods
  • 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Concert Performance

Details:

Seating is extremely limited for this intimate performance held within one of the current galleries, offering a rare, up-close listening experience.

Can’t make it to the concert? Be sure to watch the livestream on the World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries’ YouTube channel.