Pitch Perfect: Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach Delivers What We Need Most

The Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach delivers what we need most: a season of melodies from the heart.

“Our members and donors have been incredibly generous this year,” says Doug Evans, executive director of the Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach. With the arts particularly hard hit by the pandemic, last spring many institutions faced an uncertain future. The CMSPB, however, was bolstered by its patrons, allowing it to continue operations throughout 2020 and into 2021. “When COVID started, our members renewed, which told us they believe in us, and all the concerts were sponsored by donors immediately,” says Evans. “These are true music lovers.”

Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach Executive Director Doug Evans

The show-must-go-on attitude was not without its challenges. Adhering to local restrictions and keeping artists comfortable and safe was a “Herculean effort,” as Evans puts it. But the CMSPB has adapted to and mastered the new circumstances to beautiful effect.

“We are the only organization in South Florida to bring a complete season of world-class musicians from around the globe,” adds Evans. “With so many people from larger cities, especially New York, [here in Palm Beach], there is a desire and demand for artists of this level, [the type of talent] they support at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.”

Violinist Paul Huang

Among the artists who have recently performed at The Breakers are violinist Paul Huang and cellist Edward Arron. The evening, which Huang described as a “strings extravaganza,” delved into a breadth of classics with a program of works by Mozart, Reinhold Glière and Zoltán Kodály. “Playing for the CMSPB has always been a highlight of my season,” says Huang. “This is not just a concert series but a community, a community of people who are so passionate about chamber music.”

Regarding the musical experiences this season, Evans notes, audience members (all of whom will wear mandatory masks and be socially distanced) can look forward to special evenings of cocktails outside at The Breakers, then concerts in the hotel’s Gold Room.