History
Neskowin Chamber Music
"...lifting spirits and nurturing souls."
Neskowin Chamber Music began in 1994 when Charlie and Cherie 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. James Miller attended a concert and graciously provided a seed grant to get the series on strong footing.
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.
Neskowin Chamber Music has experienced success over its 30-year history in its tickets sales, local fundraising and quality. This has been due to the leadership of the founders, Charlie and Cherie Walker, music director Fran Madachy, and support from volunteers and individual donors.
Performances continue to be excellent and inspiring to audience members who are enthusiastic and in tears at moments in the performances.
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.
Neskowin Chamber Music has experienced success over its 30-year history in its tickets sales, local fundraising and quality. This has been due to the leadership of the founders, Charlie and Cherie Walker, music director Fran Madachy, and support from volunteers and individual donors.
Performances continue to be excellent and inspiring to audience members who are enthusiastic and in tears at moments in the performances.
Mission
Lift spirits and nurture souls by bringing live, world class chamber music to the rural Oregon coast and grow local school children’s interest in classical music via outreach by internationally renowned musicians.
Strategic Plan
Like most organizations, the pandemic followed by inflation has had tremendous impact on Neskowin Chamber Music (NCM). We have not recovered to financial support enjoyed before 2020. Performances continue to be excellent and inspiring to audience members who are enthusiastic and in tears at moments in the performances. The NCM board is committed to translating this into increased financial support.
Three Year Goals:
Three Year Goals:
- Minimum: Fully recover from impact of COVID and Inflation
- Target: Maintain strong organization, grow the audience, make music accessible to students and those in need and grow our local donor base.
- Grow ticket sales by actively promoting events on the Oregon coast and Willamette Valley by building social media presence, adding programs to event calendars, and print and email mailing.
Target: 10-15% increase in season ticket sales. - Ask individuals in one-on-one meetings to donate appropriately to their capacity and in accord with their concert experiences.
Target 30% increase over 2-3 years. - Pursue grant opportunities to support mission and strategic plan including support for student outreach.
Target: one time grant of $30000, additional donation of $10,000 to $20,000 per year at the end of the plan. - Spend every dollar to support our mission by continuing to be 100% volunteer organization.
Target: Add 3-5 volunteers to support Development and Marketing activities. - Build relationships with like-minded organizations to coordinate performance bookings and/or cost sharing to reduce cost.
- Strengthen Board by adding keenly interested individuals.
Target: 2-3 additional members - Establish an advisory group to guide the board for long-term success.
- Regular survey of our audience to get their feedback on our concerts and outreach to better serve the community