Chamber Music Albuquerque

==Chamber Music Albuquerque== Chamber Music Albuquerque (CMA), originally known as the June Music Festival, is a cultural organization based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, dedicated to promoting and sponsoring chamber music in the region. The organization has a storied history that began in 1942 when a group of local music and art enthusiasts, led by Albert G. Simms and his wife, conceived the idea of a music festival to enrich the community's cultural landscape. Mrs. Simms, with her profound appreciation for the arts, recognized the significance of chamber music and sought to make it accessible to the people of Albuquerque. The June Music Festival was officially sponsored by Albert G. Simms from 1946 as a tribute to his late wife, Ruth Hanna McCormick Simms, who passed away in 1944. The festival continued to grow, and in 1961, the financial responsibility was taken over by three prominent musicians: Georges Miquelle, Josef Gingold, and Ralph Berkowitz. They became the cornerstone of the festival's performing artists. In 1966, the festival marked its 25th season by incorporating and establishing a Board of Directors to ensure its ongoing success. In 1972, the organization expanded its offerings by sponsoring periodic winter concerts. Recognizing the need to reflect the broader scope of its programs, the Board of Directors opted for a name change in 1997, and thus the June Music Festival was renamed Chamber Music Albuquerque. On the occasion of its 80th anniversary on June 6, 2022, the Albuquerque City Council honored the organization by proclaiming June 2022 as Chamber Music Albuquerque Month. Now in its 82nd season, CMA prides itself on continuing to present high-caliber classical ensembles and soloists to the Albuquerque community. The organization is supported by a dedicated staff, including Financial Consultant Michael Tamasi and Stage Manager Curtis Mark. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors, currently presided over by Jonathon Gerson, with Jack Reynolds serving as Treasurer and Betsy Ebert Schmidt-Nowara as Secretary. Other board members include Mark Cleveland, Julius Kaplan, Robin Kaplan, Carl Litsinger, Sheila Litsinger, Pamela Pyle, and Laurie Thomas. Chamber Music Albuquerque encourages public support and engagement, offering opportunities for donations and connecting with the community through social media platforms like Facebook. ==External Links== * [Chamber Music Albuquerque Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/chambermusicabq) ==References== * Albuquerque City Council Proclamation, June 2022 [[Category:Music organizations based in the United States]] [[Category:Culture of Albuquerque, New Mexico]] [[Category:Organizations established in 1942]] [[Category:Chamber music]]