Lincoln Friends of Chamber Music Inc.

The 2016-17 season will be our 52nd!

Lincoln Friends of Chamber Music has been presenting some of the best chamber music groups, continously, since 1965. Big-name groups such as the Cleveland, Mendelssohn, and Vermeer string quartets, and the Beaux Arts Trio; soon-to-be big-name groups such as the American, Tokyo, and Shanghai string quartets; unusual groupings such as Quartetto Gelato, Hesperus, Soni Ventorum, and Tashi. Music from the Renaissance to last month. One thread has been unbroken for 51 years: high quality. We select excellent groups and excellent music. Many of our artists give workshops and masterclasses to university and public school students.

In the past season, we have visited over 800 students at Clinton and McPhee Elementary, North Star High School, Nissa's String Studio, and UNL. Our Outstanding Instumentalist program expanded participation to every school in Lincoln with a string program, save for one. (We'll get 'em next year.)

During our first two decades, ticket sales paid the artists' and hall fees. We had no paid staff -- the directors did it all. Still, it became necessary to solicit contributions, and we became a 501(c)3 corporation. Donations have become more important to us along with grant income, as our expenses increase. Musicians are finally making a living from playing. That's good for them, but it's we who have to pay the cellist.

We want to continue performing in an intimate space and offering top-notch groups and serious music. Your help will make it possible for us to provide this experience to the next generation of music lovers.

Last year's Give to Lincoln Day was a spectacular success. Contributions to the 327 participating organizations totaled $3,300,000! That’s an amazing amount for a single day. Donations to SFCM totaled $8415. Our share of the $300,000 offered by Lincoln Community Foundation was $689.

This year's Give to Lincoln Day will be May 26. On-line donations may be made from May 1 to midnight May 26. Please check in on the 26th or before, and in the meantime tell your friends about this opportunity to augment their support with matching money. Remember, it works only on May 26, although you schedule the payment any time after May 1.