About CMNC

Chamber Musicians of Northern California (CMNC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing opportunities for musicians to meet, play and enjoy chamber music.

History

CMNC was formed, if the story can be believed, in the back seat of Founder Alex Zuckerman’s Plymouth sedan in the summer of 1988, on the drive back from a week-long stint at the Humboldt Chamber Music Workshop. Specifically who was in that car may be lost in the mists of time, but fact remains that a need was identified for shorter, weekend chamber music workshops held throughout the year. Within a year after the idea was floated, the first CMNC Workshop was held at Sonoma State. To growing popularity, CMNC Workshops have been held throughout the year ever since, though with a brief hiatus during the pandemic.

Workshops

Chamber Music Workshops are the primary activity for CMNC. We typically hold three weekend workshops each year for intermediate to advanced string, woodwind, and piano players, at colleges and universities around the San Francisco Bay area. The workshops allow musicians to spend a weekend learning and exploring the rich chamber music repertoire, be coached by professional musicians, and meet fellow chamber music enthusiasts. All are welcome to attend either as individuals or as members of pre-formed groups. If pre-formed, you have the option to select the piece you wish to be coached on. As individuals, you may request a piece or genre of music, and the workshop organizers will do their best to accommodate you within the constraints of the mix of attendees.

Note: You must join CMNC to register for workshops. A free membership is available, or you can become a paying CMNC Member and receive member benefits (link).

CMNC Library

The CMNC Library is a rich and comprehensive chamber music collection, available for group assignments as well as free-lancing opportunities at the Workshops. The CMNC Library is not a lending library, and only available to Workshop Attendees. However, the Library collection is organized by instrument combination and the list of music is available as a resource on this website (link).

CMNC Directory

The CMNC Directory is a searchable listing of all CMNC Paid Members. Searching can be done by instrument type and by zip code. It is a valuable resource for Bay Area chamber musicians to meet other musicians to organize playing opportunities, and one of the major benefits of Membership.

Coaches

Coaches at the CMNC Workshops are drawn from (Elizabeth can you put in a description?). Link to coaches.

Volunteers

Volunteers are a valuable resource to Workshop organizers!  Please contact :::: if you are interested in volunteering at an upcoming workshop.  Volunteer roles include helping with set-up and take-down, greeting workshop attendees, taking photographs, and a myriad of other jobs.

CMNS Board

The CMNC Board consists of CMNC members who volunteer their hours. The Board’s primary responsibilities include planning and organizing workshops but also include other activities relating to the function and outreach of the organization. The CMNC Board is always looking for new members to bring fresh energy to the organization!

CMNC Board

Excerpt from Newsletter TBD. [BB I don’t think this should go here.]