The first notes of Coastal Concerts’ 2026-27 Season sound on Saturday, October 24, 2 pm at Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes, when pianist Awadagin Pratt performs a diverse program of solo works, from Brahms to contemporary. Pratt’s recital as part Coastal Concert’s annual season highlights the organization’s commitment to presenting chamber music of the highest caliber in an intimate setting here in southern Delaware. Bethel’s Fellowship Hall is season’s primary concert venue, with a seating capacity of around 300.
Awadagin Pratt has performed on national and international stages as a soloist and in collaboration with many renowned artists and orchestras since his professional debut at a young age. His rise to classical music stardom began to take shape early. He was the first student in Peabody Conservatory’s history to earn three distinct diplomas in violin, piano and conducting. Pratt’s accomplishments include being the first Black artist to win the prestigious Naumberg International Piano Competition in 1992 and an Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1994.
With a lifelong love of introducing young audiences to classical music, Pratt has an added stop on his SoDel visit. Coastal Concerts will host Pratt in a Master Class for music majors at Delaware State University on Friday, October 23.
For Lewes audiences, the upcoming season reflects Coastal Concerts’ long-running formula: bring musicians with national and international reputations to southern Delaware, then present them in a setting where chamber music can feel personal rather than distant.
The 2026–2027 roster ranges from piano and strings to flute, harp, voice, marimba, violin and classical guitar, giving subscribers a broad survey of ensemble traditions and instrumental color across the fall, winter and early spring. More information and tickets for Pratt’s and other 2026-27 season performances – six in all – visit coastalconcerts.org. Both season subscriptions and single tickets are available.
“I flunked retirement,” Peddicord replies when interviewed for Delaware Retiree. With a career spanning writing about horse racing for the Baltimore Sun and features for Maryland Life magazine, to a career with the State of Maryland until retirement, managing a performing arts organization was an unexpected move for Peddicord. His love for the arts makes it adventurous.
Also new in 2026 is the new Coastal Concerts Executive Director, Ross Peddicord. Board of Directors President Lee April describes the addition of Peddicord this way: “Ross stood out for his combinations of thoughtful leadership and genuine enthusiasm for our work,” said Lee April. “He understands both the artistic and organizational sides of what we do, and he brings a collaborative spirit that will serve Coastal Concerts well.”
“You could call it Hay to Hayden or Mares to Mozart,” Petticord quips. He is up to the challenge, but credits Coastal Concerts’ board and its longtime previous executive director, Carol Dennis for its continued success. He also expresses admiration for Coastal Concerts’ founders for the organization’s dedication to live performance in a chamber music setting.
Coastal Concerts has board of nine directors who are heavily involved with planning each season’s programming. As executive director, Peddicord works closely with the board’s programming selection chair, Ann Osterdale-Rosenblum, a musician and artist management professional.
Plans are already underway for the 2028-2029 season which involves artist contracts, booking accommodations and finding concert sponsors. Peddicord and Osterdale-Rosenblum recently attended a regional artists’ showcase, which gives presenters like Coastal Concerts the opportunity to attend performances and meet featured musicians.
Expanding outreach is a priority for executive director Peddicord. Already, he has been cultivating cooperative projects with Lewes Chamber of Commerce, American 250, Sodelo (Southern Delaware Orchestra) and other local organizations. In addition to master classes, Coastal Concerts offers student scholarships and sponsors the “Toot Your Own Horn” program, which repurposes musical instruments for local students.
Ross Peddicord envisions ongoing partnerships and enhancements to come, including pop-up performances, meet the artist receptions and pre-concert talks.
When asked which of these new responsibilities is his favorite, he emphatically replies, “All of them.”
-Bridget FitzPatrick
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