WELCOME

The UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council (UNCMS) is a group of accomplished musicians and admirers of classical chamber music within the international community. Through performances by the Society, the passion and intimacy of the chamber music repertoire has the creative power to move audiences and help promote the universal values of the United Nations, such as understanding between civilizations, freedom of expression, and equality of rights.  It has performed on multiple occasions for humanitarian purposes at the United Nations Headquarters.

Founded in January 2016 by Brenda Vongova, the UN Chamber Music Society is dedicated to promoting the UN goals at large - through the universal language of music. 
In October 2018, the Society made its Carnegie Hall debut.

“Initiatives such as this concert by the UN Chamber Music Society are critical.  
I commend the Society for contributing their talents.  They are using music – the language of peace – to advance the cause of refugee protection, raise awareness and promote the universal values of the United Nations.”
~ H.E. Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
in his message on the occasion of the Benefit Concert for Refugees
by the UN Chamber Music Society
(New York, 29 January 2017)

"The creation of the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council symbolizes our belief in the power of the arts to bring people and nations together.  I commend the ensemble for using the universal language of music to promote the goals of the United Nations and our shared values of mutual understanding and equal rights for all.”
~ H.E. MR. BAN KI-MOON, 8th SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS
IN HIS MESSAGE FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THE UN CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF THE UNITED NATIONS STAFF RECREATION COUNCIL AT A CONCERT DEDICATED TO REFUGEES
(New York, 26 April 2016)

“We commend the UN Chamber Music Society, which helps to promote the universal values of the United Nations, for its belief in the power of the arts to heal, and for dedicating this concert to music therapy.”

~Maestro Jaap van Zweden and Aaltje van Zweden
Music Director of the New York Philharmonic
in his Message for the UN Chamber Music Society “Music Therapy Concert”

“Today’s concert by the musicians of the UN Chamber Music Society of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council reflects two of my greatest aspirations.  The first is associated with the UN, an organization I greatly admire for its decades of acting on the belief that what all of humanity has in common is far more powerful and far more important than any differences of culture, ethnicity, religion, or nationality … I commend the UN Chamber Music Society for dedicating this evening to the Czech Republic and The New World Initiative, and for helping to promote the universal values of the United Nations.  Through the universal language of music, the Society echoes our own firm belief in the power of the arts to bring people and nations together.”
~Maestro Alan Gilbert, Former Music Director of the New York Philharmonic
in his Message for the “New World Concert” hosted by the Ambassador
of the Czech Republic to the United Nations, the Consulate General of the
Czech Republic in New York, and Czech Center New York
– as part of the New York Philharmonic’s New World Initiative.
(New York, 4 May 2017)

World Premiere performance of the chamber music arrangement of the opening theme of "Calling All Dawns", composed by 2x Grammy Winning Composer Christopher Tin - on occasion of the commemoration of World Refugee Day.  
(UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, 19 JUNE 2017)
Photo Credit: UNHCR Photo / Scott Nelson