Who We Are

Our Mission

Four Seasons Arts is a classical music presenting organization which seeks to reflect the total community in its audience and roster of performing artists. To this end, our programming intentionally gives expression to our world’s cultural, racial and ethnic diversity. We present world-class artists in a range of concerts including solo piano, vocal and instrumental chamber ensembles – duos, trios and string quartets. Compositions range from traditional to avant-garde, American to world-wide, ancient to newly written music of the 21st Century.

Our Founder

In 1958, Four Seasons Arts’ Founder, Dr. W. Hazaiah Williams became the first African American Impresario of a major classical music recital series in the United States, co-presenting contralto Marian Anderson in a recital at the San Francisco Opera House. An annual series of recitals became a staple of the Bay Area music scene and he presented hundreds of concerts. Go to artists/past artists.

A priority of each season was to feature a diverse roster of artists and to create a diverse audience – artists and audience reflecting the racial, ethnic and cultural contributions of the total community. In addition to San Francisco, concerts were presented for over 20 years in New York City (Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall). A summer music festival in Yachats, Oregon (1981-2017) provided occasions for artists and participants to savor music in a natural setting. Artists and audience enjoyed the weekend together with concerts, seminars, meals and walks on the beach.

Four Seasons Arts continues, moved by his vision and motivated by a world searching for experiences of inspiration and renewal.

Read more about Dr. W. Hazaiah Williams: Bay Area Impresario

Board and Staff

Board of Directors

Staff

Andrea Patton-Housley
Transportation Coordinator