The Edmonton Chamber Music Society has been bringing internationally renowned chamber musicians to Edmonton for over fifty years. Its concert seasons offer a range of programming, from early music to contemporary works, performed by vocal ensembles, instrumental soloists and small chamber orchestras as well as the traditional string quartet.
Originally founded by faculty members of the University of Alberta’s Department of Music, the Society continues its dedication to musical education through its outreach programs and an inexpensive ticket price for any student. To further encourage music students to attend, discounted tickets are offered to music teachers when they bring their students to a concert.
Most concerts are held in Convocation Hall on the University of Alberta campus. Its fine acoustics and 400-seat capacity make it ideally suited to the more intimate sound of chamber music.
In 2008 the Edmonton Chamber Music Society introduced the Summer Solstice Festival, a three-day event in late June that brings together chamber musicians from across North America. Through diversity of programming, master classes, pre-concert lectures, and special outreach events, Artistic Director Patricia Tao has sought to widen and engage the local chamber music audience.
The Edmonton Chamber Music Society is a non-profit organization, administered by volunteers and supported by ticket sales and donations. Additional funding is provided by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts , the Edmonton Arts Council and the City of Edmonton .