Board of Directors

President

Dr. Falls Harris

Past Presidents

Mrs. Raja Neuhaus

Mr. Harry Knox, Jr.

Mr. Avery Wood, Jr.

Dr. Bruce M. Schlein

Secretary

Mr. Alan Weinberg

Treasurer

Mr. Laird Minor

Program VP

Dr. John Beckford

Publicity VP

Mr. Clifford Hackett

Membership VP

Dr. Neil I. Steinberg

Members

Mr. Bob Howell

Mrs. Sharon Howell

Dr. Christine Schammel

Mr. Al Sill

Mrs. Terry Walters

Mrs. Lee Watson

Mr. Alan Weinberg

What is ICMS?

The International Chamber Music Series was founded in 1982 to bring a variety of chamber music ensembles from many parts of the world to the Upstate of South Carolina. We are a private nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status supported by the generous assistance of Furman University and a member of the Metropolitan Arts Council.

Who Belongs?

Membership in ICMS means becoming a season ticket holder. Various levels of patronage are identified here.

Where are the concerts held?

Concerts are in the Daniel Recital Hall of the Daniel Music Building on the Furman University campus and at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts' Gunter Theater. Artists have consistently complimented these halls for their fine acoustics for both the performer and listener. These smaller venues make these halls an ideal size and setting to experience chamber music as it was intended to be heard.

What is chamber music?

Chamber music is music written for two or more musicians with no more than one person playing each different part. The majority of ICMS chamber music has been provided by string quartets, but piano trios, brass ensembles, woodwind quintets, early music, percussion, and guitar ensembles are among the various groups to perform for the Series. The writing for small groups often exposes another side of a composer's compositional personality that is never revealed in any other setting.

Why support this series?

This organization exists because the region has demanded this type of music to be a part of the cultural choices for the Greenville area. Supporting any arts organization keeps the “civil” in civilization. It allows us to experience the language of expression that often cannot be expressed through any other means. Chamber music has the capacity to exhibit the most intimate of expression in this intimate setting. Knowing that these works will not be heard by the masses at one sitting, it is this medium that many composers experiment or bare their sincerest of sentiments.

This series also attempts to showcase musicians from around the world. What better way to experience a Dvorak piano quartet than by an ensemble from his native Czechoslovakia, or a Debussy string quartet performed by a French ensemble.

The Series also sponsors masterclasses which have attracted hundreds of students and professional performers from around the area. The artists are also available at a reception following each concert to meet and discuss the evening's music. This unrestricted gathering has further enlightened the audience members who remain, and have initiated friendships which were developed during this intimate exchange.

What kind of quality can I expect?

The consistently high quality of the performances in this series is unmatched by any other arts organizations. As Janie Caves-McCauley, Greenville News concert reviewer has said, “It is Greenville's best buy in serious art music.” We have been fortunate over the years to hear some of the finest music by the finest musicians from around the world.