While Memphis is considered the birthplace of rock and roll and a pillar of the blues, there is another notable music force in town. Chamber music is having a moment. Memphis Chamber Music Society (MCMS) has been staging concerts of local ensembles and international artists in private homes and gallery spaces for over 30 years.
Founded in 1989 by Marsha Evans, a former Rhodes College piano teacher, and currently helmed by Artistic Director Victor Santiago Asunción, MCMS hosts world-class chamber musicians in a series of performances each season with a loyal following of fans and supporters.
The great masters of classical music—such as Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms—did not merely compose music for large symphony orchestras. They also wrote works for smaller ensembles and intimate venues. Ensembles may include strings, keys and wind instruments. With infinite combinations, the music is designed for short-range acoustics, allowing audiences to hear the grit of a bow hitting a string or the keys clicking on a piano in addition to the melody. The absence of a conductor, the line between the stage and the audience completely blurs. The small space transforms an elite art form into a deeply personal, shared social experience. “Music lovers love to hear beautiful music,” says Marsha and, these performances unleash all the emotions. “The performances offer a personal touch. It’s chamber music in the setting for which it was written,” says MCMS Board Member Shirley Turner.
Each performance is exciting and unpredictable like a recording session. The musicians may meet just days before a performance such as with the 2025-2026 season finale at David Lusk Gallery. On a whim, four pianists came together, rehearsed once or twice, and unleashed a performance unlike any other. Set amidst a collection of paintings by Memphis native Burton Callicot, the energy was electric.
Victor, pianist as well as Artistic Director, compared the experience to a “blind date”- it was a little chaotic and full of energy. It’s a masterclass in active listening. The players are entirely on their own, acting as both soloists and accompanists, feeding off one another. The rapt audience spoke to the power of the art and its ability to stir emotion and memory. Violinist Eric Gratz shares, “music is beautiful and powerful; a human connection without words; each part has an opportunity to be really heard.”
The upcoming 2026-2027 season begins in September. Six new concerts are planned for the 38th season, including a performance titled “Heart and Soul” at the new Metal Museum in Overton Park and a variety of works in private homes. Each concert is unique under Victor’s thoughtful direction. Enjoy this vibrant, accessible art form that reflects Memphis’ spirit of collaboration, grit and soul.
For more information or to purchase tickets for upcoming performances, visit memphischambermusic.org.