National Chamber Music Month

Since 2011, May has been designated National Chamber Music Month—an annual celebration of small ensemble music that brings attention to its creativity, resilience, and stylistic breadth. Each year, we devote the month to highlighting the diverse accomplishments of our field, in an effort to build community and expand public recognition of the art form and its social impact. This year, we’re “Celebrating Small”—focusing on the unique joys and opportunities of the small ensemble format.

“Our community—a diverse ecosystem of chamber music artists, presenters, representatives, educators, and others—work tirelessly, and often thanklessly, to propel the field,” says CMA CEO Kevin Kwan Loucks. “May is a time to celebrate those efforts and recognize the successes. We hope you will join us in the revelry and let it energize your kick-off to summer.”

Do you have an event to share? Send us your updates at cmanews@chambermusicamerica.org or tag us @chambermusicamerica on social media and we will amplify as many CMA Member events, concerts, and promotions as we can.

This year’s National Chamber Music Month is one of our most exciting. Throughout the month, we’ll celebrate small ensemble music both online and in-person with a wide array of programming.

Please note, some of these events are for CMA members only. Join Today!

Virtual events:

May 1, 4:00PM ET: CMA’s 2025 Membership Annual Meeting & Town Hall
CMA’s Annual Meeting offered CMA Members the chance to hear about ongoing and upcoming initiatives, programs, and more. A recording of the meeting is below.

Tuesday, May 6, 12:00PM ET:  WEBINAR: Finding a Digital Balance – Creating Artistic Work vs. Content Creation

Breaking through the noise on social media platforms is an art in itself. In this webinar, meet Unison Media’s founder—and PR industry disrupter—Andrew Ousley. Learn how to develop your brand, create authentic content, and establish an online presence that works for you.
This webinar is open to all. Register here. 

Hybrid event:

May 8 – 11: CMA @ Fischoff

The CMA/Fischoff Competition connection continues! On Thursday May, 8, Chamber Music America CEO Kevin Kwan Loucks co-hosts the organization’s Lift Every Voice concert and award event. On Sunday, May 11, Loucks will appear as a distinguished speaker during the culminating Awards Ceremony and Gold Medal Concert. All Fischoff Competition events are free and open to the public in person in Indiana; Saturday and Sunday’s events will be live-streamed on their YouTube channel. More information: fischoff.org.

Virtual event:

Tuesday, May 20, at 1:30PM ET: WEBINAR: Creative Placemaking with Purpose
Creative Placemaking—what is it and how can one measure a program’s impact? In this webinar with curriculum designer Olivia Cosío, gain tools to create a framework for your organization and your community and hear the results from a creative placemaking project developed by CMA ahead of its 2025 National Conference: Sounds of Houston.

This webinar is open to all. Register here.

Ahead of this virtual event, listen to the Sounds of Houston creative placemaking project here:

In-person event:

Sunday, May 25, 1:00PM – 8:30pm ET: ChamberFest Boston at New England Conservatory

This event is open to CMA Members. Please RSVP here by May 10.

The day will include two panel discussions, a CMA Members’ mixer with bites and refreshments, and a special performance in the stunning Jordan Hall, featuring the Pacifica and Parker Quartets; violinist and recent Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, Joshua Brown; and pianist Pei-Shan Lee.

ChamberFest Boston, supported by Clarion Inc. and Carriage House Violins, comes on the heels of a weekend-long CelloBello intensive, featuring masterclasses and more. Details here.

Virtual event:

Thursday, May 29, 3:00PM ET: WEBINAR: Celebrating the Future – Arts Leaders Look Forward

Join Chamber Music America CEO Kevin Kwan Loucks in discussion with several arts leaders as they explore an evolving chamber music music ecosystem and the strategies for a thriving future. Speakers to be announced. 

This event is open to all. Register here.

Additional details for these events will be made public as they become available, and exclusive promotions for new CMA memberships will be shared via email. Sign up for our revamped Accent newsletter and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date.

Spread the Word on Social Media

All month, CMA will share member activities and projects on our social media channels.

Send your activities to CMANews@chambermusicamerica.org.

Tag your Instagram and Facebook posts about your May activities with #ChamberMusicMonth.

Follow CMA
Facebook: @chambermusicamerica
Instagram: @chambermusicamerica