A Message from Our Board Chair

As Chair of the Board of Chamber Music America, I want to speak not just in my official capacity, but personally as someone who cares deeply about our chamber music family.

First, I want to reaffirm that our community is for everyone. Chamber music, at its heart, is about collaboration – bringing different instruments and voices together to create something beautiful. In the same way, our organization brings together people from all walks of life who share a passion for music.

You may have heard conversations in the broader world casting doubt on “diversity” or questioning efforts to be inclusive. I want to be clear about where we stand. Chamber Music America’s doors remain open wide. We will continue to welcome and support musicians and music lovers of every background – embracing different cultures, races, religions, and abilities – because that inclusivity makes our art form richer and our community stronger.

We live in a time when words can be misunderstood or politicized. Our commitment to a welcoming community is not a political agenda – it’s rooted in the principles of fairness and unity that have long guided the arts. Music has always been a bridge between people. In that spirit, we will continue our work in a way that focuses on bringing people together.

I want to personally thank our members, grantees, and partners for the trust you place in CMA. Many of you come from communities that haven’t always been represented in the arts, and some of you may be uncertain about where things stand now. Let me say this clearly: we see you, and we value you. As Board Chair, I consider it my responsibility to ensure that each one of you feels safe, supported, and heard within our organization.

In closing, I ask all of us to remember what unites us: a devotion to chamber music and the joy of sharing it with others. That joy doesn’t belong to one type of person or one group – it belongs to all of us. By working together, with empathy and mutual respect, we will keep our community strong and harmonious. I invite you to join me in reaffirming that everyone who loves this music has a home in CMA. Let’s continue to make music together, learn from each other, and inspire the next generation of chamber music lovers.

Thank you for being a part of our community and for upholding the values that truly make it a family.

Sincerely,
Bryan Young
Chair of the Board, Chamber Music America