Chicago’s Third Coast Baroque closes

Chicago classical music group Third Coast Baroque is calling for the resignation of executive director and co-founder Angela Young Smucker, according to a statement Wednesday. on its website. The statement was co-signed by artistic director and co-founder Rubén Dubrovsky, as well as director of community engagement and co-founder Nathalie Colas and executive chairman James Klock.

The decision to close was attributed in part to the financial difficulties the community was experiencing—challenges facing the entire Chicago arts community.

The statement reads in part: “As noted in a recent DCASE study, inflation and declining grant funding, combined with declining ticket sales due to smaller audiences, have created a challenge for many arts organizations. TCB was not immune to these daunting challenges.”

The ensemble dedicated to baroque music was founded in 2016. then reportThen-Tribune music critic John von Rhein said the band had adventurous aspirations for a period instrument and vocal ensemble. “Thinking outside the Bachs if you want.”

The band made its debut last summer. festival bearing his name including an encore of Third Coast Baroque’s first program (“¡Sarabanda!”) at the Epiphany Arts Center.

The statement expresses gratitude to Third Coast Baroque supporters and fans, its board and leaders, and ensemble musicians Colas and Kaitlin Foley (soprano), Paul Max Tipton (bass-baritone), Martin Davids (concertmaster, violin), Emi Tanabe and Wendy Benner was expressed. (violin), Liz Hagen (viola), Anna Steinhoff (cello, viola and gamba), Jerry Fuller (cello) and Brandon Acker (lute, theorbo).

dgeorge@chicagotribune.com