Society for Chamber Music in Rochester

The Society for Chamber Music in Rochester (SCMR) is a prominent cultural institution that has been a part of Rochester's music scene since its inception in 1977. Founded by Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) violinist Richard Luby and acoustical engineer and music enthusiast John Bouyoucos, SCMR was established to provide a platform for faculty members of the Eastman School of Music and RPO musicians to collaborate and perform chamber music repertoire. At the time, there was a distinct lack of opportunities for these musicians to explore chamber music together, and SCMR filled this void, offering the community a chance to experience performances of chamber music from various periods and styles. In its early years, SCMR held its concerts at the George Eastman House, with pre-concert lectures in the living room and performances in the Marble Room. The organization quickly expanded its offerings, including a series of five concerts per year, a summer series at Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua, and additional performances in Geneva and other towns in Western New York. From 1979 to 1989, SCMR also presented a Baroque Festival featuring Concert Royal in residence for two weeks each spring. The late 1980s brought changes to SCMR's venues. In 1988, the George Eastman House underwent a complete restoration, and as a result, SCMR moved its concerts to the Memorial Art Gallery, thanks to the efforts of Joan Morgan, who served on the boards of both the SCMR and the Gallery. Over the past decade, SCMR has continued to adapt, utilizing various venues such as the Hochstein Performance Hall, Lyric Theatre, and CityView Ballroom at the Strathallan to accommodate different repertoire needs. Artistic leadership has played a crucial role in shaping SCMR's direction. The current Artistic Directors, Juliana Athayde, Concertmaster of the RPO since 2005, and Erik Behr, Principal Oboe of the RPO since 2007, have expanded the repertoire to include contemporary works while maintaining a connection with classical masters. Previous artistic directors and staff have included Joseph Werner and Stefan Reuss, Ilya Kaler, Nancy Howe Webster, Deborah Dunham, James Dunham, Andrzej Grabiec, James Richman, Ann Siller Sherman, Sharon Hicks, Lynn Richmond, Michael Webster, and Richard Luby. SCMR's commitment to education and community outreach is evident through its award-winning programs. The organization has an outreach initiative that introduces chamber music to primary and secondary school students, involving master classes and discussions with musicians. The Young Composers Composition Competition, initiated in 2003, encourages the creation of new chamber music and includes both high school and college-level categories. Winning compositions are performed as part of the concert series. SCMR also supports young musicians through financial assistance for chamber groups at the Hochstein School of Music and Dance. The Society for Chamber Music in Rochester has been recognized for its dedication to chamber music with the prestigious CMAcclaim award from Chamber Music America in its 35th year. This accolade is a testament to SCMR's longstanding advocacy and promotion of chamber music within the community and beyond.