Our mission is to cultivate a deep appreciation for chamber music by presenting exceptional performances in welcoming and accessible formats. Through education, community engagement, and a commitment to excellence, we seek to position chamber music as a central cultural force, both locally and globally, while ensuring its enduring relevance and sustainability.
Seattle Chamber Music Society (SCMS) has been a cornerstone of Seattle’s cultural life since 1982, presenting world-class chamber music while making it accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Under the artistic leadership of violinist James Ehnes, SCMS brings together renowned musicians from around the world for intimate performances that captivate both longtime enthusiasts and newcomers. Through its year-round programming—including the Summer and Winter Festivals, Concerts at the Center, Crescendo Concerts in private homes, and the Signature Series—SCMS offers audiences unparalleled access to extraordinary chamber music experiences both in person and online through its Virtual Concert Hall.
Beyond the concert stage, SCMS is deeply committed to education and community engagement. The SCMS Academy for Chamber Music nurtures musicians of all ages through its Youth Academy, a pre-college program training the next generation of chamber artists, and the Adult Academy, designed for dedicated amateurs seeking to grow in their craft. SCMS also brings music into schools, retirement communities, hospitals, parks, and public spaces, ensuring that the joy and beauty of chamber music reach every corner of the community.
With a mission rooted in excellence, accessibility, and innovation, SCMS continues to enrich lives, inspire audiences, and strengthen Seattle’s vibrant arts community.
If you would like to send your memories or tributes, please send them to: [email protected]
Obituaries: The Seattle Times and KUOW
Watch the video of the event to celebrate Toby’s life here.
Click to see the complete Toby Saks Memorial Program Booklet from the event.
Reviews from the October 14 event to celebrate Toby’s life: The Seattle Times, KUOW, and Memeteria
Toby was born in New York City on January 8, 1942 and died at her home in Seattle on August 1, 2013. Her family, many friends and colleagues, and the musicians of the Seattle Chamber Music Society were with her during her last weeks. The cause of her death was pancreatic cancer.
Growing up in the Bronx, Toby switched from piano to cello at age 9 and continued her education at the High School of Performing Arts and The Juilliard School under teacher Leonard Rose. She won prizes in New York as a teenager, was first prizewinner at the International Pablo Casals Competition in Israel in 1962, and was a top prizewinner at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Toby was the 3rd woman to join the New York Philharmonic, where she played in the cello section from 1971 to 1976.
Toby moved to Seattle in 1976 and joined the music faculty of the University of Washington. As Professor of Music, she loved not only teaching her cello students, but taught music theory and music appreciation courses to thousands of students during her 37 years at the University.
In 1982 Toby and classical music supporters in Seattle founded the Seattle Chamber Music Society. She served as SCMS Artistic Director for 30 years and as Associate Artistic Director for the last two years, bringing more than 450 concerts with more than 300 musicians to audiences at The Lakeside School, The Overlake School, and Benaroya Hall. ‘Mama Tobs’ home was the ‘clubhouse’ for musicians to rehearse, eat and talk during their visits to Seattle, creating a unique and very successful Festival atmosphere.
Toby is survived by daughter Claire Berlinski of Istanbul, Turkey; son Mischa Berlinski of Seattle, his wife Cristina Iampieri of Borrano, Italy, and their son Leonardo; brother Jay David Saks and wife Linda of Ridgefield, CT, and their children Jeremy Saks, Greg Saks, and Jeremy’s wife Ying Ying Li of New York City.
She is also survived by her husband of 25 years, Dr. Martin L. Greene. Marty’s family from his first marriage was also Toby’s family, with Jonathan and Catherine Greene and children Ariel and Eitan in Seattle; Richard and Beth Greene and children Jacob and Lila in Seattle; and the late Laura Greene and her daughter Emma Kisselev and Emma’s parents Dmitri and Alesya Kisselev of Portland, OR and State College, PA.
We are on a mission to bring the highest quality musical experiences to all corners of our community.
