WHAT IS RUSSELL’S CLASSICAL CONSORTIUM?

A welcoming place for classical music lovers to learn and share their passion…

We go to concerts. We applaud. Then we usually go right back home. Traffic is bad. We’re tired.

Guess what? We’re missing one of the best parts of the experience—gathering afterwards in spirited discussion with different points of view. What if some of the musicians joined the conversation? It would be magical…

My Classical Consortium is a Patreon group for where you can learn and share your passion for classical music, plus support my own composition projects. It's where you spend time together with friends listening, laughing, and learning, It's where you get an insider's perspective meeting professional musicians from around the world. It's a source of healing during these unprecedented times we're all living through.

I’m Russell Steinberg, a Harvard Ph.D. award-winning composer based in Los Angeles. Listen to some of my music here. I strive to build in people a passion for classical music that enriches their lives. My whole life is about music. Besides composing, I conduct the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra and offer popular preconcert talks for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. I also play piano and classical guitar.

Why I Started a Patreon...
Just before the pandemic shut down the U.S., I fell off a ladder and shattered my right arm. As part of my physical therapy during recovery, I used Zoom to perform my music, present lectures, and to even offer free weekly “Hangouts” for people to just talk and learn together. I attracted a small devoted audience that desperately craved community and a deeper understanding of the classical music they loved.

Unsolicited emails began to arrive with the most touching stories. A Los Angeles man reconnected with an old friend from Minnesota after he recommended him to join our Hangouts. An astronomer thanked me and wrote that my talks awoke in her an early deep love for music so strong that it became a catalyst for her to retire and embark on a journey to travel around the country. A woman from Mexico confessed that she had lost her husband during this time and that the Hangouts and lectures were what got her through this most difficult time.

In trying to heal myself, I had created a space for deeply intelligent and caring people around the world to become friends and learn about music together—virtually.

Now I want to build on this community to have it become a partner in my creative music projects—compositions, concerts, lectures—all while continuing to learn and grow together.

Russell's Classical Consortium is where you can:
• Join an inner circle supporting my music and get VIP “backstage” access to me and the remarkable musicians I work with around the world
• Connect and form friendships with people around the world like you who enjoy classical music.
• Become an expert classical music listener and develop "3D" ears

My Classical Consortium has 4 tiers.
Think of them as nestled circles. Each inner circle gets deeper into music, deeper into the community, plus includes all the benefits of the outer circles.

SUPPORTER—$10/mo. You meet with the entire Consortium at Monday Hangouts. We hear music and have fascinating discussions. You also get tickets to 3 Zoom concerts a year. Doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or an expert. It will enhance your life.

AFICIONADO—$25/mo. You become a member of our private chat community and get to meet and interact with some of the most amazing (and nice) people on the planet. Our shared knowledge and camaraderie might be the most powerful Consortium benefit. You’ll not only learn about music, you’ll become friends with people who get you and share your passion. Plus 10% off my growing store of lectures, books, and music.

MASTER LISTENER—$50/mo. You want to really understand classical music with an inside track. Each month I create videos on composing, performing, and conducting. I take you into my actual artistic process. For example, I’m now preparing to conduct the Sibelius 2nd symphony. Wouldn’t you be interested to know what goes through my mind as I study a score, rehearse the orchestra, and interpret the piece? Plus four exclusive workshops on general musical topics you maybe always wanted to know (the ins and outs of string instruments, what performers are thinking as they play, what makes one interpretation better than another, etc . All of that and 15% off my growing store of lectures, books, and music.

CREATIVE CIRCLE—Special $75/mo.Founding Members Price ($100/mo. regular) . Your connection to classical music becomes a thrill meeting some of the most talented musicians in the world. This is the Consortium inner circle with Virtual VIP Backstage Access to me and the world class musicians with whom I collaborate. You’ll meet us on Zoom the day or so after concerts to hear about what we experienced on stage, enjoy anecdotes, and ask questions. There will be more. I have had nearly 100 musicians respond enthusiastically to this idea. They want to know you as well! So we will add more events. The ultimate dream I have for the Creative Circle is that post-pandemic, we travel together to musical destinations where we can learn and enjoy time together.

If you’ve read this far, maybe you’re sharing some of my excitement and see how this can change your life for the better.

I welcome all of you who love classical music to join my Classical Consortium. You are my ideal audience and I'm thankful for your support!

These Fabulous Musicians Joined Me For My Consortium Launch—Pianist Daniel Vnukowksi, Cellist Cecilia Tsan, LA Guitarist and KFPK Global Village Host John Schneider, Pianist Nada, Mezzo Soprano Kristina Bachrach, World Music Artist Yuval Ron

These Fabulous Listening Hangout Regulars Joined Me For My Consortium Launch—Carlton Bright, Caroline Norris, Dr. Charles Amenta, David Early, Gloria Gesas, Katherine Kiefer, Patricia Morgan, Laura Danly