Appomattox Chamber Society (ACS)

Formed in the spring of 2007, the Appomattox Chamber Society (ACS) is a group of musicians devoted to the furthering of baroque chamber music.  The baroque period extends through the 17^th and 18^th centuries and includes music by well known orchestral composers such as Handel, Telemann, and Vivaldi.  ACS is also pleased to introduce their audiences to music by lesser known composers who specialized in chamber music such as Johann Quantz, Michel Blavet, and Jacques-Christophe Naudot.  Chamber music was typically written for groups of two to five musicians and was intended for performances in smaller, more intimate settings than the grand concert hall.  The Appomattox Chamber Society draws from musicians playing recorder, baroque flute, violin, cello and harpsichord to present pieces with a variety of instrumental combinations.  In addition to the musical presentation, ACS enjoys acquainting its listeners with some interesting history about baroque music, period instruments, and 17^th and 18^th century composers.

The Appomattox Chamber Society was founded by Jonathan Shockley and Kathy Whittle.  Mr. Shockley a native of Dinwiddie, born in Petersburg, currently works as a mathematician at Fort Lee Virginia.  He is a self taught baroque flute and Recorder player.  He currently works part time for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as a baroque dancer.  He has played on several occasions for the Richmond Renaissance Dancers.  Ms. Whittle, a native of Chester, has played modern flute for over thirty years.  In addition to the Appomattox Chamber Society, she now plays with the Commonwealth Chamber Ensemble, a woodwind quintet, and the Richmond Symphonic Winds.  She is musical coordinator and performer for the Colonial Dance Club of Richmond and the Richmond Renaissance Dancers.  She teaches flute at The Center for Creative Arts at Shady Grove in Richmond.  Having picked up the baroque flute within the last year, it has quickly become a favorite.  She also plays recorder and irish whistle.   

Recent ACS Community Concert Series at Trinity Church