Sound Salon

Our Mission

Sound Salon (formerly Byron Schenkman & Friends) brings a diverse set of 21st-century perspectives to artistically excellent ensemble music, inspired by European traditions of the 17th through 19th centuries.

Our Vision
Sound Salon builds an increasingly inclusive and diverse community through thoughtfully programmed performances that welcome, engage and inspire.

Our Values

We conduct ourselves with integrity by:

• Showing care and appreciation for artists, audience, staff, and volunteers.
• Committing ourselves to equity, inclusivity, and egalitarian relationships.
• Engaging in learning with humility.
• Being transparent and intentional in all our activities.
• Relating our work to history and to the social realities of our time.
• Performing with attention to the technical and philosophical aspects of music.

New Name

In 2023 at the beginning of our 11th Season Byron Schenkman & Friends updated our name to Sound Salon, better representing our surroundings, our purpose, and our community. 

About Us

Each Sound Salon concert revolves around a particular theme, often exploring relationships of composers to each other, to their societies, and to our own time. Familiar composers and works are juxtaposed with more surprising discoveries, including music by women and People of the Global Majority.

In 2020, responding to the global pandemic, Sound Salon launched a digital concert series featuring exquisitely filmed performances which continue to be available at no cost on the Sound Salon YouTube channel. In recent years Sound Salon has also commissioned and premiered new works from Damien Geter, Caroline Shaw, and Jonathan Woody.

Why Give?

Your dedicated support is the lifeblood of Sound Salon. It allows us to continue presenting thoughtfully programmed performances in Seattle and worldwide through our online concerts.

As we gear up for our next exciting season, we're reaching out to ask for your continued partnership. Every contribution, big or small, helps us and ensures we can deliver the music you love.