Southwest Chamber Music

Southwest Chamber Music is a Grammy Award-winning ensemble known for its dedication to presenting New Classical Music and building musical bridges between cultures. The organization's mission is to combine the wisdom of traditional classical music with the color of diversity, reflected in concerts, recordings, commissions, and educational programming that showcase the depth of art music from around the world. Founded in 1987, Southwest Chamber Music has established itself as a prominent voice in the classical music scene, offering concert and educational programming that spans European classics, contemporary American compositions, and new music from Latin America and Asia. The ensemble's commitment to education is evident in its highly-rated programs, such as Project Muse in-school concerts and the Mentorship Program for student musicians. These initiatives have been recognized as model programs by the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, serving over 1,800 students annually across Los Angeles County. In 2011, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Southwest Chamber Music launched the LA International New Music Festival, which has featured world premieres and new works by esteemed composers such as Wadada Leo Smith, Unsuk Chin, Charles Wuorinen, and Gabriela Lena Frank. The festival has included collaborations with various national and international co-commissioners, expanding the ensemble's reach and influence. Southwest Chamber Music has also served as an international cultural ambassador for the United States. In 2009-2010, the ensemble participated in the Ascending Dragon Music Festival and Cultural Exchange, the largest cultural exchange between Vietnam and the United States in history, involving performances in Hanoi, Saigon, and Los Angeles. The project garnered significant media attention and was hailed as a success by critics and audiences alike. Other notable international engagements include performances at the Guadalajara FIL Arts Festival in Mexico, the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and the Vietnam National Academy of Music in Hanoi. The ensemble has also performed at prestigious venues such as the Arnold Schoenberg Center in Vienna, the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. Southwest Chamber Music's recording legacy is substantial, with 30 recordings available from Cambria Master Recordings. The ensemble has received nine Grammy nominations and won two Grammy Awards in the Best Small Ensemble category for its recordings of the Complete Chamber Works of Carlos Chávez. Additionally, its Composer Portrait Series was honored with a 2002 ASCAP-Chamber Music America Award. With a vision articulated by Artistic Director Jeff von der Schmidt, who believes in maintaining the highest standards while ensuring accessibility for novice listeners, Southwest Chamber Music continues to be a dynamic force in the classical music community, fostering an appreciation for the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual layers of musical masterpieces.