Greenville Chamber Series Triples Seating Capacity to 380
The Andy & Friends Concert Series is relocating to Furman University’s Daniel Recital Hall for its third season, expanding audience access from 130 to 380 seats.
By Ariana Flores ·
Local concertgoers in Greenville will have access to three times as many seats for the Andy & Friends Concert Series starting Nov. 18. The series is moving from the Greenville County Schools’ Fine Arts Center to Furman University’s Daniel Recital Hall. The new venue accommodates 380 attendees, up from the previous capacity of 130. This change allows more residents to attend the chamber music performances without needing a larger theater.
The series began two years ago in the smaller Fine Arts Center. Founder and pianist Andy Armstrong stated that donors and audiences in Greenville supported the group from the start. Armstrong said, “Greenville is such a dynamic city that heroes stepped forward right from the start to mount a world-class chamber music series.” The group decided to expand its physical footprint as demand grew. The move to Furman University’s facility is the third season for the ensemble.
The season opening on Nov. 18 features a quintet with international experience. The lineup includes Armstrong on piano, New Zealand violinist Geneva Lewis, Canadian violist Emad Zolfaghari, American cellist Raphael Bell, and American bassist Marguerite Cox. The program centers on Franz Schubert’s Piano Quintet in A Major, commonly called the “Trout” Quintet. The piece was inspired by Schubert’s earlier song “The Trout.” Other composers on the program include Serge Koussevitzky, Rebecca Clarke, Lili Boulanger, Nadia Boulanger, and Arvo Pärt. Armstrong described the mix as combining old favorites with total surprises.
Armstrong leads similar chamber music series in Beaufort and Columbia. He focuses on making the genre accessible through engaging introductions to the works. The group also prioritizes community outreach. In a separate series in Connecticut, Armstrong and other musicians have performed for Montessori programs, school bands, orchestras, and a program serving formerly incarcerated individuals. Armstrong said, “It’s important to us that our artists carry a servant’s heart.” He noted that if growth continues, these outreach activities could become a regular part of the Greenville series.
The first performance of the new season is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 18 at Daniel Recital Hall. The hall is located at 3300 Poinsett Highway. General admission tickets are priced at $40. Student tickets cost $5. Further information is available at greenvilleandyfriends.org.
