Memorial Service Set for Saturday, March 26 at 1 p.m.
It is with the utmost sadness that the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival announces the passing of its General and Artistic Director, Christopher Rex. Chris passed away in Atlanta, on Tuesday, March 22. Chris was the principal cellist of the Atlanta Symphony for 39 years. Twenty-one years ago, he brought his exceptional talent and love of music to Amelia Island to become the visionary and founder of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival. A memorial service for Christopher Rex will be held on Saturday, March 26 at 1 p.m. at the Amelia Plantation Chapel. The service is open to the public.
Chris was beloved by all who knew him. As his brother and fellow musician, Charles Rex said, “He was a true artist and devotee to the love of beauty. Living alongside the artist in him was a person with a unique sense of humor.”
Emma Mills Bledsoe, President of the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, remembers Chris as more than a dreamer but a creative visionary. Ms. Bledsoe said, “Chris possessed talents, skills, and determination. He turned his dream of a Chamber Music Festival here on this Island into a thriving reality. We have richly benefited from all the musicians and exquisite concerts that Chris ushered into our community. But most of all, we were given the cherished gift of experiencing the pure joy of music through the eyes and heart of Chris.”
Christopher Rex celebrated 50 years as a symphony cellist and recitalist in 2018. After graduating from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music, he studied under renowned cellist Leonard Rose as a graduate student at The Juilliard School. Mr. Rex launched his career with several regional symphony orchestras before joining the Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy for seven seasons. He subsequently became principal cellist of the Atlanta Symphony for 39 seasons. Mr. Rex served as principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic on a European tour in 1988 and has performed as soloist with the New York Philharmonic in Lincoln Center and the Manhattan Philharmonic in Carnegie Hall. As an orchestra member, he has performed in Carnegie Hall more than 50 times in addition to playing two recitals in Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. Mr. Rex was one of the founding members of the Georgian Chamber Players in Atlanta and the Christiania Trio with Atlanta Symphony concertmaster David Coucheron and Julie Coucheron, David’s pianist sister. He was also artistic director of the Madison Chamber Music Festival in Madison, Georgia.
About the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival
The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival is a not-for-profit, tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The office is located at 1405 Park Avenue, Suite 101, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034. For additional information, concert tickets, or to learn more about becoming involved visit www.aicmf.org or call 904.261.1779. Follow The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival on Facebook.
The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. It is registered with the State of Florida and is in good standing with regards to its Solicitation of Contributions registration (#CH19166).
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-HELP-FLA (800-435-7352), OR VIA THE INTERNET AT WWW.FLORIDACONSUMERHELP.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSMENT APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.