The overall purpose of all-volunteer Neskowin Chamber Music series is to develop an understanding and knowledge of classical music in order to enhance the cultural appreciation of those who live or visit the Central Oregon Coast. Specifically, NCM presents a live concert series October through May,provides outreach in schools and other settings in this area and provides for weekly violin instruction for a group of local youngsters.
Neskowin Chamber Music concerts are held at the Chapel at Camp Wi Ne Ma (pronounced “why NEE mah,” at 5195 Wi Ne Ma Road in Cloverdale, three miles north of Neskowin off of Highway 101.
Neskowin Chamber Music began in 1994 when Charlie Walker put together a Chamber Music Series of five Sunday afternoon concerts and Nick Dusic and he together sold the tickets for the first season. Seeing that the plan worked, they found volunteers who became a supportive committee-later called the Board. Their first goal was to bring outstanding Chamber Music ensembles from various parts of the world to the Central Oregon Coast. Early on they began a tradition of being sure that performers and audiences alike had enjoyable experiences in providing and listening to outstanding music.
The setting was the Chapel at Camp Winema located on the beach just north of Neskowin. This former horse barn, carefully remodeled, provided excellent acoustics with just enough seating (approximately 150) for a true chamber music setting. From the beginning, complimentary refreshments have been provided during intermissions and during those times new friendships developed among audience members.
Soon the Board decided there should be outreach programs in the local schools and elsewhere, and before long most visiting musical ensembles provided such presentations as well as their Sunday afternoon public concerts. Public and private schools between Lincoln City and Tillamook regularly benefited from those presentations-and continue to do so today.
Further, Neskowin Chamber Music has regularly hosted several day and week long residencies during which the visiting musical ensembles spend full time providing free public concerts, workshops in schools and group instruction for students. In addition as opportunity occurred the Board has reached out to provide other special musical experiences. One such was the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin family supper and concert for Nestucca Elementary School children and parents; another was the Gould Piano Trio thank-you evening with dessert. And still another is the current Neskowin Violin Program. The Violin Program began with a grant from the Swindells Foundation of Portland. It gives local third through fifth graders an opportunity to learn to play the violin. Ten violins were purchased for the Program, and ten children got on their way to being musicians. The Program is under the direction of violinist Kathy Follett and now fourteen children are taking part.
From the beginning until today, Neskowin Chamber Music has operated each year on a balanced budget. The income is from ticket sales, donations and every few years a special fundraiser. There are no paid staff members. All work is done by volunteers which is critical in causing the income to exceed expense by a little each year, as is the fact that nearly 75% of season tickets holders also make annual donations.