Every Voice Counts

Last Friday, arts organizations around the country received stark news: the National Endowment for the Arts is terminating millions of dollars of already-awarded grants at  the end of May. 

Worcester Chamber Music Society is among hundreds of organizations around the nation whose current grants were terminated. Our NEA grant supported Neighborhood Strings, our music education program that provides intensive, inspirational programming to over 100 young people in Worcester. The NEA provided a significant amount of funding for our teaching artists. These are top-notch professionals who are completely committed to the work of creating a community around music for young people.

The letter also specified that new funding priorities must “reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President.”  Programs like Neighborhood Strings are not included in those priorities.

Of course — our project of providing access to music-making for young people remains strong. Anyone who attended this week’s Music on Main concert at the JMAC Brickbox Theater could feel the energy and commitment from the young string players, the families who surround them, and the community. (And the salsa dancing wasn’t bad, either!)

There are several actions you can take if you love this work and want to see it thrive amid challenges. 

  • You can show how much live music matters and attend our upcoming concert, Summer Dreams
  • You can donate to WCMS and help ensure that Neighborhood Strings remains fully-funded for 2026.
  • You can make your voice heard and speak up for public investment in the arts through collective action by advocacy groups like Mass Creative.

Your support in any of these ways means the world to us. Let’s stand up for music and creative youth development. Every little action counts!

Warmly,

Ariana Falk
Executive Director, Worcester Chamber Music Society

SEASON 20 CONCERTS
Tickets on sale soon — Stay tuned for details

 

Serenade and Souvenir: Our 20th-Year Celebration
Sept. 27 – Worcester

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The Joy of Youth
Nov. 6 – Harvard
Nov. 9 – Worcester

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Baroque On Fire
Dec. 4 – Princeton
Dec. 5 – Worcester

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Shadow and Light
Feb. 1 – Worcester

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Fairy Tales and Fables
Annual Free Family Concert
Mar. 8 – Worcester

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Woven Strands
as part of The Complete Bach Project
Mar. 21 – Worcester

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La Fête Française
Apr. 10 – Fitchburg
Apr. 12 – Worcester

“Through the years the Chamber Music Society has crafted thoughtful, innovative and interesting programs, and its playing has become so effortless, so technically virtuosic and so musically expressive, they have become one of the most loved and admired treasures in our musical community.”
– Worcester Telegram and Gazette

Leadership Change

Donations

Neighborhood Strings