Chamber, no secrets
Neskowin Chamber Music is spreading the word about its new season
By Chelsea Yarnell
For the TODAY
When the weather shifts, music drifts from the Wi-Ne-Ma Chapel. For three decades, distinguished chamber music artists have been invited to Neskowin to lift spirits and nurture souls during the rainy season on the Oregon Coast.
The Neskowin Chamber Music concert series is celebrating 30 years in music with six ticketed performances. This year’s concert lineup runs from October through May with performances from Jessica Tong and Michael Sheppard, Thunder Egg Consort, Tesla Quartet, Frisson Trio d-Anches, Joel Fan and the Windsync Quintet.
All concerts are hosted at the Chapel of Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp in Neskowin, a former horse barn that has been carefully remodeled to seat an intimate 150.
“We host and bring world-renowned artists here during the rainy season to a beautiful, small chapel with perfect acoustics,” said Board President Baiju Patel. “The artists love that they can see everyone and they enjoy it so much that they return every two to three years to perform.”
Artists range from violinists to pianists and play as soloists or in groups. Each performer is selected by Artistic Director Fran Madachy. While in the area, musicians are treated as guests to the community; many housed in local vacation homes and invited to a post-concert dinner.
“We do more than just hosting concerts,” Patel said. “We make the experience very personal.”
Upcoming concerts before the holiday break are Jessica Tong and Michael Sheppard on Sunday, Oct. 26 and Thunder Egg Consort on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Tong, a Canadian violinist, has garnered international acclaim as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. Her performances have taken her to Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, les Invalides in Paris and the Gewandhaus in Leipzig.
The Thunder Egg Consort is a group of seasoned performers who bring their individual talents together as a piano quartet composed of violin, viola, cello and piano. The group members are graduates from some of the finest music schools in the country, including Juilliard and Curtis, and have won international competitions.
To thank the community for their years of support, the Neskowin Chamber Music board chose to host two free concerts before the full season this year. The Florestan Trio performed to an audience at the Lincoln City Cultural Center on October 5 and the Thunder Egg Consort and Family will perform at the center on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 3 pm.
“We really want to open it up to the public,” Patel said. “This is one opportunity to truly give back to our patrons and I hope we can make a tradition out of this.”
Neskowin Chamber Music began in 1994 when Charlie and Cherie Walker put together a series of five Sunday afternoon concerts and, along with Nick Dusic, sold the tickets for the first season. Seeing that the plan worked, they found volunteers who became a supportive committee — later called the board.
“Our board is so passionate, we’re 100-percent volunteer based because we believe in it,” Patel said. “It’s incredible to me that the program has lasted 30 years. People come back again and again and a testimony to what our volunteers do. If you enjoy the music, be a part of this good group who make it happen.”
The organization is also dedicated to outreach programs in local schools and elsewhere. Public and private schools between Lincoln City and Tillamook regularly benefit from the presentations of visiting artists, including most recently a demonstration from cellist Hamilton Cheifetz at Nestucca Valley K-8 on October 6.
All concerts begin at 3 pm with complimentary refreshments during intermissions.
Season passes or single event tickets are available for $180 or $40 respectively. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Wi-Ne-Ma Christian Camp is located at 5195 Winema Road in Neskowin. For information, go to neskowinchambermusic.com.