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!