Bassoonist and chamber music proponent Anthony “Tony” Checchia passed away on September 7, 2024 in Philadelphia.
A graduate of Curtis Institute in 1951, Checchia served in the U.S. Navy Band and performed with the Baltimore Symphony and New York City Ballet. It was when he and co-founder Philip Maneval noticed a lack of a chamber music series that led them to cofound the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society (PCMS). PCMS, where Checchia became founding artistic director in 1986, grew to become one of the busiest and most prestigious chamber music series in the country. Checchia also co-founded Marlboro Music Festival, a summer retreat created to incubate small ensembles, with Rudolf Serkin.
Checchia was a long-time Board Member of The Presser Foundation, beginning as a Trustee in 1991 and then transitioning to be an Honorary Trustee in 2015.
From PCMS: “Tony was a giant in the music world, yet his disarming personality, wonderful sense of humor, charm, and common touch belied his leadership skills and vision. Through the five decades he served Marlboro Music, by founding and leading PCMS in its first few decades, and through his many other pursuits, Tony advanced the artistry and careers of generations of musical leaders, and he transformed the musical life of Philadelphia.”
