Since its inception, Festival Chamber Music (FCM) has made the development of new audiences a top priority. The mission of Festival Chamber Music is two-fold:
Festival Chamber Music has performed over 100 works ranging from the well-known masterpieces to rarely heard works for unusual combinations of instruments. FCM has also performed several first New York performances of works by contemporary composers. The artists speak to the audience informally before each piece in an effort to create a warm connection with the audience ("The audience felt little distance from the performers. The players shared their art, rather than doled it out." - Gannett Papers, June 18,1995)
In 1992, with a grant from the Vidda Foundation, FCM began a three-concert series in New York at Merkin Hall. The season was sold out and the following year, the series was expanded to its current five concert format. Since 2008, Festival Chamber Music Concerts have been held at Weill Hall in Carnegie Hall.
Festival Chamber Music was founded in 1987 as a summer festival in Westchester (Dobbs Ferry). It continued for six seasons drawing audiences from all over Westchester, Rockland, and Fairfield counties, and New York City and was broadcast on WQXR.
For the 2008-2009 season, all concerts will be held at:
Weill Hall
(in Carnegie Hall)
154 West 57th Street
New York City