Dear Musical Enthusiasts and Friends,

If you think chamber music is only for the musically elite, think again!

For the past twenty-nine years under the talented artistic direction of Paul Nitsch, Friends of Music at Queens University has dispelled this belief for our listeners without ever comprising musical quality and brilliance. 

Over 200 years ago "chamber music" became branded because it was played in a small venue with an intimate atmosphere of a small group of friends.  At Friends of Music at Queens' concerts we try to replicate this feeling with a variety of pleasurable chamber musical experiences for you. To expand our audience, we present this format in Classical, Jazz, Bluegrass and other forms of music that are performed by a small number of musicians without a conductor.

Peter deVries, a concert violinist and my charismatic predecessor as president of Friends of Music last year, eloquently summed up the chamber music dynamic.  "Each performer must have a soloist's instincts, skills, and confidence. Yet each player must be able to bend those instincts and play their part in a way that produces a single, perfectly unified idea from the group."

Come to our "Musical Feasts" and the "Summer Serenades" series this season and experience transformational evenings of music.  Before concerts in the "Musical Feasts" series from October through April, there are special three-course dinners with limited seating planned in the Claudia Belk Dining Room at Queens. Other events throughout the season are also planned for you that are both fun and entertaining.  By participating in Friends of Music's programs and events, you will be supporting our Education Outreach activities and the Queens University Department of Music.

Friends of Music at Queens has only one wish when you attend our concerts. That is to simply enjoy listening to superb musical performances.   After all, music speaks its own language to each one of us. Welcome to our circle of friends that appreciates the unrivaled musical communication spoken here at Queens.    

Cordially,

 

Fran Mathay
President, Friends of Music 2012-2013