Chamber music comes to end

Expenses and declining audiences have forced the curtain to come down permanently on the Hamilton Chamber Music Society.

Chamber music has been entertaining Hamilton city since the late 1940s but in 2015 members began to talk about the tough decision to close the much-loved organisation.

‘‘One of the big problems we’ve had is chamber music is not everyone’s cup of tea, and it’s struggled with an image. The image is that it’s elitist,’’ said manager Wayne Robinson.

‘‘While that’s historically been true, chamber music is so magnificent. Once you start listening to it you realise it speaks to the whole of humanity. It talks about the serious things in life; about death and love, and longing and desolation and anguish.’’

Hamilton Chamber Music Society divided its remaining funds to organisations who supported musical education, including $16,000 to the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music; $25,000 to Chamber Music New Zealand and $1000 to Sistema Waikato.

‘‘The decision to bring the society to a close is a reflection of this vigorous scene.’’