You may know that the Asheville Chamber Music Series has been bringing World Class Music to Western North Carolina for more than 70 years.  The Friends of Asheville Chamber Music Series is a bit younger—perhaps 70 weeks! But lots of fun with many events planned for 2026 and 2027. The Friends group hosts events associated with each of the ACMS concerts and in addition, hosts other events such as trips to Brevard Music Center or other nearby venues.

For example, recent events were:

- After the concert meet and greet with Cuarteto Latinoamericano at White Labs.

- Preconcert Lecture by David Gasner on the Hayden and Debussy pieces performed by the Jasper String Quartet in October.

- After the concert meet and greet with the Manhattan Chamber Players at the Weinhaus in February.

- Pre-concert talk by Polly Feitzinger on “The Art of Programming” prior to the Trio Bohémo concert.

- Friends of ACMS joined the masterclass on May 9th for talented young area music students taught by Astralis Chamber Ensemble members.

Upcoming Events include:

- Chamber Music Society of the Carolinas in Waynesville on July 1 with a meet and greet dinner at a local Waynesville restaurant after the concert.

- Rising Stars Concert at the Asheville Art Museum on August 22nd .

- Possible trips to Parker Hall at Brevard Music Center, the Arboretum and other venues.

You can see there is consistent theme: to learn, to meet the artists, to develop a sense of community of music lovers, and yes, enjoy good food and wine! 

Some events are free, some you pay for dinner or tickets, sometimes you may be asked to drive or bring a dish! All the members contribute ideas for events, and each event has a coordinator assigned to manage the details. We coordinate with and offer support to the ACMS Board but are an independent group. 

There is a $50 annual pp membership fee and in addition to all the good times, you receive a membership pin to wear proudly to ACMS concerts, along with a $15 voucher for exciting ACMS merch! You do not need to be an annual Subscriber to ACMS, but we encourage you to do so. 

Let us know if this sounds intriguing! You may be amazed how happy you will be to spend time with like-minded, talented and music-loving new friends.

Concert program: Ripples. Features superstars Susie Park, John T. Posadas, Jenny Dozoros, and Raman Ramakrishnan, culminating in Brahams’ magnificent String Sextet No. 2.

Concert tickets can be ordered directly at www.cms-carolinas.org

Thanks to Friends members, Pam and Rob Viau, we have reserved space at Bocelli’s Italian Eatery, at 6:30 following the concert. It’s a family-oriented, traditional Italian restaurant nestled in the mountains of downtown Waynesville at 6:30 pm. The artists will be joining us after the concert.

“Since 2008, we’ve been passionate about serving up fresh, made-to-order Italian entrees, pasta and pizza. We invite you to our cucina to enjoy delicious, handcrafted food in our warm, casual environment or out on our outside patio.”

Individual dining checks will be available. The menu is available at https://bocellisitalianeatery.com