CMNC was formed, if the story can be believed, in the back seat of Founder Alex Zuckerman’s Plymouth sedan in the summer of 1988, on the drive back from a week-long stint at the Humboldt Chamber Music Workshop. Specifically who was in that car may be lost in the mists of time, but the fact remains that a need was identified for shorter, weekend chamber music workshops held throughout the year. Within a year after the idea was floated, the first CMNC Workshop was held at Sonoma State. To growing popularity, CMNC Workshops have been held throughout the year ever since, though with a brief hiatus during the pandemic.

For a deeper understanding of CMNC’s history, along with insightful stories about the people who helped build this community, we invite you to read our special 20th anniversary newsletter (PDF).