Sundays with SAMF: Composers in Conversation

Enjoy a discussion and concert during Sundays with SAMF (the St. Augustine Music Festival). "Living Voices: Composers in Conversation" is both a discussion and a concert at the St. Augustine Waterworks on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

This Conversation and Concert

The Conversation

Two highly regarded contemporary composers and eight musicians present a conversation and performance to create an afternoon that brings insight into composition, contemporary music, and the creative process. 

Piotr Szewczyk is a violinist and composer who has been a member of the Jacksonville Symphony since 2007. He has won several awards for his compositions, including the Progressive Classical Music Award, Project Trio Competition, Flute New Music Consortium Competition, the American Prize, American Modern Ensemble, Third Millennium Ensemble, and American Composers Forum.

Alex Cooper studied classical piano throughout his youth and at the University of Iowa, where he majored in piano performance under Dr. Ksenia Nosikova. After college, he began studying composition on his own and later under the tutelage of Emmy Award-winning composer Stephen Cohn. Cooper's works have been performed with the San Marco Chamber Music Society, the Florida Chamber Music Project, and at the 2025 St Augustine Music Festival.

The Concert

These two composers share their journeys and the composition process, introducing their works. San Marco Chamber Music Society members perform several works.

The Musicians

• Sophia Jean, flute
• Eric Olson, oboe
• Patrick Graham, clarinet
• Jordan Brokken, bassoon
• Piotr Szewczyk, violin
• Andy Bruck, violin
• Ellen Oslo, viola
• Brian Magnus, cello

Program Highlights

• By Piotr Szewczyk: Tripple Trouble for Oboe, Viola, and Clarinet; Three Summer Sketches for Violin, Clarinet, and Bassoon; Three Episodes for Violin, Oboe, Cello, and Bassoon; Sneak Dances for Flute, Clarinet, and Cello; San Marco Flute Suite for Flute, Oboe, and String Quartet
• By Alex Cooper: Permutations, written for a string quartet

Sundays with SAMF 2026

See the series on their website.

• January 18, Kevin Sharpe, Pianist
• February 8, Chelsea Wang, Pianist
• March 22, Aaron Lehrian, Pianist
• April 19, Piotr Szewczyk and Alex Cooper, Composers
• May 21, Robert Sims, Baritone
   

The Details

Admission: $30.00 at the door, or purchase tickets online in advance for $20.00 per person. Students with an ID are $10.00 at the door.

When: Sunday, April 19, 2026, beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Where: The St. Augustine Waterworks, 184 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, 32084

Getting There: Access to the Waterworks is through the St. Augustine Main Library parking lot. (Use 1960 North Ponce de Leon Blvd. in your GPS.) 

About SAMF

The St. Augustine Music Festival, organized by members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, performs world-class music to a diverse audience. Each year, SAMF produces free concerts over three weekends in June, at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Augustine. Early in the year, they host a series of more intimate concerts at the Waterworks to help fund their major program. SAMF is committed to entertaining and educating through music by providing inspiring performances of local and guest musicians. 

The Waterworks

Built in 1898, the St. Augustine Waterworks is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The city moved this waterworks facility to a new location after significant population growth. For a time, the building served as a community center and theater, and was later left unused. Now fully renovated again, this facility is accessible, has free parking, and yet retains its historic architectural properties and charm.