Ask Isabelle!
High Desert Chamber Music was founded in 2008 by violinist Isabelle Senger. Below she answers some questions about the upcoming season and gives some insight into what you have to look forward to!
What is new for High Desert Chamber Music's 16th Season?
In addition to our Pick 5 Concert Series subscription, we are offering a Pick 3 option. I would like more families and young adults to enjoy our concerts, and we hope the discount offered helps reduce the overall cost of attending concerts. We continue to offer all Central Oregon K-12 students complimentary admission when arranged through school music directors!
I am thrilled to announce that the Crown City String Quartet will premiere a new work by composer Chris Thomas at the season finale concert in May 2024. Chris is a composer for film, television, theme parks, and a TED Speaker. I encourage our patrons to learn more about Chris and his works on his website.
Our Annual Gala in December will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Central Oregon (UUFCO). We have enjoyed our years at the Bend Golf Club, but we have now outgrown the space! We look forward to accommodating many more guests at this festive evening of dinner, music, and fun at one of the premier fundraising events in Bend.
What gets you really excited about the 2023-2024 Season?
We will present three ensembles making their debut in Central Oregon. I strive to bring the best of the best, as well as an interesting variety of groups every season. The Fauré Quartett is coming from Germany and has an incredible program to kick off the season. The father/son Kaplan Duo is especially meaningful for me, as I studied under Mark Kaplan while receiving my Master's degree at the University of California, Los Angeles. The Sakura Cello Quintet is an innovative group with such a varied repertory that will be sure to program something to please everyone!
What should patrons know about the upcoming season?
Four out of the five concerts in our series will be held at the UUFCO. This location has excellent acoustics, very comfortable seating space for our patrons, and sight lines are good from every seat. Also, there is plenty of parking.
The Valentine’s Day Concert in 2024 will be at the Tower Theatre in Downtown Bend. This will be a special evening with the Aviara Trio, frequent performers in the HDCM Concert Series. This best-selling event includes a complimentary rose for concert-goers and a custom treat from Goody’s Chocolates! This is typically our highest-attendance concert of the season, so I encourage you to purchase your tickets early!
What else is happening with High Desert Chamber Music?
I am thrilled to announce that German Master Tech (GMT) is the Presenting Sponsor this year. Kim and Tim Morris have been avid supporters for years, and we are fortunate to have them! I am grateful to have the continued support of the Pine Tavern Restaurant, Miller Lumber, and Hayden Homes as Concert Sponsors. We are welcoming Drew Family Dentistry and Three Graces & Co. as new Concert Sponsors this year.
We have finally joined the modern era and are working on building our social media presence! Please take a moment to follow HDCM on all our channels – Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Around town, I want all of our patrons to look for street banners up in Downtown Bend through the month of September, and also in the Old Mill District throughout the season.
What is unique about High Desert Chamber Music nonprofit?
The diversity of our programs and offerings, along with our extensive educational outreach efforts are what sets HDCM apart. We bring internationally recognized musicians to Central Oregon and create opportunities that would not otherwise be available. Our Music & Friends program enables anyone to invite a chamber group to their home, or other intimate setting, for a very special evening with music and friends. Our educational outreach efforts include visits to local schools, master classes, and our successful and proven chamber music training program, the Spotlight Chamber Players.
Whether you are a chamber music enthusiast, or new to classical music, I encourage you to attend an event this season and see what HDCM is about. I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes from famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma: “Classical music is one of the best things that ever happened to mankind. If you get introduced to it in the right way, it becomes your friend for life.”