I was delighted to read the op-ed on chamber music and its many benefits in these challenging times (“Chamber music invites us to consider a new way of being,” July 11). Our innovative chamber music series, Vigorous Tenderness, works to break down barriers to classical music to welcome a more diverse audience than typical classical concerts.

Vigorous Tenderness presents pieces never before heard in Maine, featuring engaging music by accomplished composers who are women, queer, trans, people of color and Indigenous. Held outdoors on the solstices and equinoxes in some of Maine’s most stunning landscapes, Vigorous Tenderness connects audiences to the seasons and to nature. As in an art gallery, at each concert guests follow a self-curated path at their own pace to experience seven chamber ensembles, interacting with musicians and each other. With more than 110 Maine-based musicians on our roster, we are investing in Maine’s musical ecosystem. Tickets are offered on a sliding scale to maximize accessibility.

We celebrate the intimacy and connection of chamber music and hope people will learn more about this vibrant art form at the Portland Chamber Music Festival in August and at our concerts year round.

Sarah Shmitt
Board President, Vigorous Tenderness
Portland