Chicago Chamber Musicians

The Chicago Chamber Musicians 13 one-hour programs. 

Founded in 1986 by a group of prominent musicians and chamber music devotees for the
purpose of building an internationally-recognized Chicago institution devoted to the study
and performance of chamber music, CCM began as the resident ensemble of 98.7 WFMT,
presenting free monthly First Monday performances at The Chicago Cultural Center and
broadcast on WFMT. 

The Chicago Chamber Musicians ensemble comprises of 15 artists, and together with various
internationally known guests, explore selections from the entire chamber music literature,
culminating in public performances.  Each year, the Chicago Chamber Musicians reaches
more than half a million people annually through its 75-plus performance season, and has
been critically acclaimed for its artistic excellence, program diversity and distinguished guest
artist roster.

Since 1987, CCM has gained national and international exposure through its touring program
with appearances at Ravinia Festival, Barnes at Wolf Trap, in live concerts on 98.7WFMT radio
and in performances and short-term residencies across the United States, in Tokyo, Salzburg,
Berlin and Giverny, France.

In 1998, CCM inaugurated an extensive artistic initiative entitled Music at the Millennium, a
three-year festival which took place each May of 1998, 1999 and 2000.  In 2001, this series
evolved into a new program called Composer Perspectives, with a focus on composer
partnerships, including Pierre Boulez, musical advisor to the project, John Harbison, Ellen
Taaffe Zwillich, George Perle, John Corigliano, Joan Tower, Gunther Schuller, William Bolcom,
Bright Sheng, Bernard Rands, Paquito D'Rivera, Aaron Jay Kernis, David Del Tredici, Augusta
Read Thomas and Ned Rorem. 

The Chicago Chamber Musicians is a two-time winner of the Chamber Music America/ASCA
Award for Adventurous Programming, one each for the Music at the Millennium and the
Composer Perspective series.

The CCM's mission statement: 
"The Chicago Chamber Musicians is a society of professional musicians and interested
supporters dedicated to excellence in the study and performance of chamber music.  We
intend to be a national leader in providing the highest quality programs in artistic development,
concert performance and education.  Creativity, generosity of spirit, and artistic drive are our
hallmark as we strive to share the joy of music with the broadest possible public, thereby
enriching the cultural life of Chicago