"Through all these years you have brought the world's greatest music to your city, and in doing so you have enriched the lives of thousands. You have nurtured the development of young ensembles just starting on the perilous path, and you have renewed friendships with older ensembles who delighted in your warmth and hospitality." 

                            – Peter Zazofsky, Muir String Quartet

In October 1960, a group of amateur musicians in Houston banded together to form an informal social organization to present the chamber music they loved to the Houston musical community, and they called it the Houston Friends of Music. That season marked the beginning of a yearly series of chamber music concerts that has become the GOLD Standard for the presentation of chamber music in the United States. This coming season is its 50th season, and the color GOLD will symbolize it.

The annual nine-concert series now brings in already established ensembles plus award-winning newer ensembles, all of which consider that being selected to perform for Houston Friends of Music is a “seal of approval” in the world of chamber music. 

The Houston Friends of Music will change in a minor, but significant way this coming season. We will become the Houston Friends of Chamber Music, a name that more clearly delineates who we are and what we represent. The Houston Friends of Chamber Music continues its commitment to present the world’s finest chamber music and to be an integral part of the vital Houston community.

As our presence in Houston has grown, a related goal has emerged -- to share this wonderful experience with the younger generation. We do this in two ways: by providing free tickets for students at most of the colleges and a number of high schools in the area, and by providing master classes by our guest artists for music students at selected local high schools and colleges.

As a 501 (c3) charitable organization, the Friends are enabled by your gifts to continue our presentation of fine chamber music and our educational outreach program. For information on contributions, matching gifts, concert underwriting, gifts of stock or bequests, please call Houston Friends of Chamber Music at 713.348.5400. To make a contribution online, please click  and follow the simple instructions.

Many recordings of our performances can be heard on KUHF, Houston Public Radio.