Who We Are
Founded in 1982, Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings (DCWS) has been a leading voice for chamber music in the Detroit area. Known for bringing together some of the area’s most talented musicians—many from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Detroit Opera—DCWS has built a reputation for high-quality, engaging performances. To date, DCWS has shared over 400 concerts with audiences, premiered more than 30 new works, released five CDs, and toured internationally.
Mission & Core Values
Our Mission
DCWS is a musician-driven nonprofit that showcases the premier musical talent of our region through innovative and exceptional performances of chamber music with unique repertoire and venues. Our educational engagement deepens audience connections and community impact.
Our Vision
DCWS will engage a broad audience through immersive performances in intimate settings to foster a life-long relationship with the art form. We are committed to building an organization that can transition from generation to generation.
Our Core Values
Welcoming
We share our art broadly in an atmosphere of friendship, making chamber music approachable and enjoyable for a wide audience.
Relationship Driven
We build authentic connections between our musicians, staff, board, audience, partners, and supporters. These connections foster a sense of family, help unite communities and contribute to our organizational stability.
Immersive
We perform in non-traditional spaces, create new music, and integrate complementary art forms into our performances. Our audiences enjoy direct interaction with the musicians, benefiting from their personal insights into the music.
Resilient
We are a durable organization that weathers economic challenges and leadership transitions. We maintain relevance in a changing world through our dedication, flexibility, and creativity.
Collaborative
Our passion for engaging new communities and building partnerships allows us to explore our art in new ways and use music to tell stories that need to be heard. Our commitment to education fosters new generations of patrons and musicians.
Exceptional
We recruit the most talented musicians, staff, and board members who share our vision. We pride ourselves on the quality of all that we do.