About Morrison

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History and Philosophy

The special nature of chamber music lies in ability to bring a group of individuals together in perfect harmony. Contrary to the myth that it is esoteric and elitist, chamber music is truly an egalitarian medium. It touches people across all categories of culture and educational sophistication. Interpreted by small ensembles whose members contribute their personal perspectives to a musical whole that is always greater than the sum of its parts, and enjoyed in venues that are intimate enough to invite a strong sense of audience engagement and participation, chamber music epitomizes the central human values of communication, collaboration and democracy; indeed, it has been called “the most perfect form of human behavior.” Sensing that San Francisco State was a kindred spirit in pursuit of egalitarian and collaborative ideals, Edward Hohfeld, the executor of the May Treat Morrison Trust, chose to create the Morrison Chamber Music Center as a vital center for the study, preparation and dissemination of this important art form. A mere decade after the center’s founding, the Rockefeller Foundation, in its 1966 annual report, described the Morrison Chamber Music Center at San Francisco State in these terms: “It is the only program which gives admission-free concerts of top caliber to the community and represents the largest private gift on record for promoting excellence in chamber music.”

Morrison Chamber Music Center Timeline

  • 1939

    May Treat Morrison Trust established.

  • 1952

    Edward Hohfeld and Ferenc Molnar establish Morrison Chamber Music Center.

  • 1956

    Morrison Chamber Music Center becomes permanent.

  • 1970

    Andor Toth named artistic director.

  • 1972

    Lazlo Varga named artistic director.

  • 1989

    Alexander String Quartet named quartet-in-residence and Saul Gropman named artistic director.

  • 1990

    San Francisco debut by Eroica Trio.

  • 1992

    San Francisco debut by St. Lawrence String Quartet.

  • 1995

    San Francisco debuts by Gilles Apap and The Transylvanian Mountain Boys.

  • 1996

    San Francisco debuts by Palladian Ensemble (early music) and The Zephyros Woodwind Quintet.

  • 1997

    San Francisco debuts by Wendy Cheng, and the New Millennium Ensemble.

  • 1998

    San Francisco debut by Trio Voronezh.

  • 2000

    San Francisco debuts by eighthblackbird, Singphoniker, Thibaud String Trio, and Vida.

  • 2004

    San Francisco debut by FLUX Quartet.

  • 2005-06

    50th anniversary season.

  • 2010

    Ronald Caltabiano named artistic director.

  • 2011

    Richard Festinger named artistic director.