Support SCMS
Click on the link below to support SCMS with a tax-deductible donation that helps us continue to produce our Summer and Winter Festivals, as well as our year round programming at the Center for Chamber Music.
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Crescendo Concerts
Crescendo Concerts combine all of your favorite things about going to a concert, except one thing — they’re not in a concert hall. Spend an afternoon in a beautiful home, socialize with new and old friends, and listen to incredible music in a special and intimate setting.
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Complete Beethoven Sonatas
Two concerts. All Beethoven. Join us for an extraordinary musical journey as virtuoso violinist James Ehnes and acclaimed pianist Orion Weiss present the complete Beethoven Violin Sonatas in two unforgettable concerts.
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Seattle Chamber Music Society is a celebration of variety, celebrating the astounding range of musical expression over the past four centuries. It is my greatest pleasure as Artistic Director to create programs that feel both self-contained and also part of a larger, season-long journey.

— JAMES EHNES, Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Artistic Director

Seattle Chamber Music Society is a celebration of variety, celebrating the astounding range of musical expression over the past four centuries. It is my greatest pleasure as Artistic Director to create programs that feel both self-contained and also part of a larger, season-long journey.
- JAMES EHNES, Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Artistic Director
 
Seattle Chamber Music Society is a celebration of variety, celebrating the astounding range of musical expression over the past four centuries. It is my greatest pleasure as Artistic Director to create programs that feel both self-contained and also part of a larger, season-long journey.

— JAMES EHNES, Gilbert Omenn and Martha Darling Artistic Director

Music Worth Experiencing
Elevating The Intimate Nature of the Chamber Music Experience

Each year, Seattle Chamber Music Society (SCMS) presents a WINTER FESTIVAL in January and SUMMER FESTIVAL in July at the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall. The CENTER FOR CHAMBER MUSIC offers the Seattle community programming throughout the year. Our pleasant space is designed to bring you front row to open rehearsals, curated lectures, and film. We believe in making music accessible and growing appreciation for chamber music. Our EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS ensure we are leaving a footprint in our community.

 

 

What is Chamber Music?

Classical music encompasses a wide range of forms, styles, and periods. At Seattle Chamber Music Society (SCMS), we bring together two to eight musicians from all over the world to perform, bringing the greatest repertoire of chamber pieces to life. Chamber music developed in the 19th century as entertainment for amateur musicians to play pieces with friends in the comfort of the home. The repertoire grew increasingly complex as musical luminaries like Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and others composed pieces that brought this music out of the home and into the concert hall. Besides the size of the group, another characteristic that distinguishes chamber music from symphonic music is that there is no conductor. Each musician plays an equal part in the decision making – choosing tempo, shaping phrases, and finding the perfect balance and blend of sound. Interpretation and style offer an exclusive performance for listeners each time a unique group of musicians come together. At SCMS we invite principal musicians from leading orchestras, award-winning soloists and recitalists, and dedicated chamber musicians to our stage. Think of this as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Mick Jagger getting on stage together to have a jam session. Every SCMS concert brings the best musicians with unique personalities together to offer music worth experiencing!

The intimacy of a shared musical experience
Benaroya
The Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall is our annual host for the Summer & Winter Festival programs.
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The Center
Offering the Seattle community programming throughout the year. Be in the front row at concerts, curated lectures, and films.
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