The Asheville Chamber Music Series (ACMS) has sponsored over 300 concerts by some of the world’s finest classical musicians over the past seven decades. One of the oldest chamber music organizations in the United States, ACMS continues to thrive and to bring world-class chamber music to its growing and appreciative subscriber base. Concerts are typically held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville.

In 2009, the ACMS began a robust Educational Outreach Program to reach out to the next generation, to expand music education opportunities for area students in the public middle and high schools, and to further inspire a lifelong love of music. The Opal String Quartet has been our longtime partner in this important effort.

Since its inception, the ACMS has participated each year in the bi-annual Amadeus Festival under the auspices of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra by presenting world-renowned chamber groups in 2015, 2017, 2019 and most recently in 2023.

In 2012 the ACMS raised fund to purchase its own Steinway B Grand piano for use by visiting guest artists. It is stored at the Asheville Art Museum and is available to the museum for its concerts,

Responding to the 2022-21 national COVID pandemic, the ACMS presented its first virtual season rather than go dark. A set of professional standards were created by a consultant for us to use to ensure that production levels of each concert were of the highest quality. This enabled the guest artists to record their performances in advance wherever they were based. It further enabled the ACMS to be able to pay its performers and not cancel concerts -- continuing its uninterrupted record of bringing world class chamber music to Asheville. It was a win win for all.

In 2022, the ACMS launched its first Rising Stars concert series presented in collaboration with the Asheville Art Museum. These recitals took place in the museum's atrium and featured promising young North Carolina musicians embarking on concert careers. To date, we have jointly presented ensembles from Hendersonville, Charlotte, Asheville and Durham. Other concerts are planned for 2024.

The same year, the ACMS applied for and received a competitive North Carolina Arts Council "Spark the Arts" grant to expand its marketing and communications objectives.

At the close of the ACMS 2022-23 season, the ACMS received Proclamations from both Governor Cooper and Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer acknowledging the important contributions the organization has made to the cultural life of the city and region during its distinguished 71 year history.