Musique du Jour Presents

Mission

Musique du Jour Presents' mission is to foster appreciation, enjoyment, and cultural enrichment in Western Washington through the performance of great music of  the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries on original instruments. We craft musical experiences that pique your curiosity as well as delight the senses. And, as a PNW-based organization, we create opportunities for our local artist community, and bring international early music performers to rural and island corners of Washington.

Or, put another way —we serve up Tales and Tunes, told through the vintage color palette of historical performance. Join us for a cup of tea. . . beautiful, compelling music . . . and maybe a viola joke or two!

About Us

For nearly forty years former Co-Artistic Directors George Bozarth and fortepianist Tamara Friedman have been delighting audiences in Skagit and King Counties with chamber-music concerts distinguished by innovative programming and first-rate performances on beautiful historic instruments. In 2025, George, Tamara, and our Board welcomed scholar and violist/violinist Lindsey Strand-Polyak as our new Director, who brings her 20-year record of community outreach and education to Musique du Jour Presents. Lindsey hails from the Pacific Northwest, and after years of performing around the country, is excited to bring her twist on early music to the community she knows as home.

Outgoing artistic director and fortepianist Tamara Friedman enthuses about Lindsey: "In Lindsey Strand-Polyak, we have that rarest of colorful birds in the music world: someone who combines extraordinary virtuosity and sensitivity in her playing with a marvelous executive and organizational ability,  and a mind that conjures the most creative, provocative aspects of classical music programming. On top of all that, she is one of the kindest and most good-humored people on the planet, and a joy to work with. We are all incredibly lucky to have Lindsey at the helm of our series, and wish her many years of joyful musicking and Artistic Direction with Musique du Jour Presents! "

Each concert season we take our audience on new journeys into old music through live performance and historically-informed storytelling, regaling our listeners with the sounds and expressive styles of playing that inspired Baroque, Classical, and Romantic composers to create their magnificent works. Just as painting with watercolors will produce different effects than painting with oil, the tools and traditions we use to create our musical experiences  intensifies their result and emotional impact. Where things come from and who made them not only matters. . . but we think it's fascinating (and great nerdy fun!)! It deepens our approach to performing and what we share with all of you.

Why Give? 

While Musique du Jour Presents! has been in the Seattle area for 9 years, with the introduction of Director Lindsey Strand-Polyak, we've marked the start of a new era. As we embark on our milestone SEASON 10 in '26-'27, help us start our season strong so we can celebrate a decade of early music excellence in the Great Northwest.

Giving Big Helps Us:

-Keep Our Ticket Prices Affordable! We’re committed to keeping live music accessible—offering discounted tickets for seniors and young artists, and free entry for kids. As costs rise everywhere, your support helps us keep it that way—so great music stays within everyone’s reach.

-Come to YOUR neighborhood! We're developing concerts that can go beyond Queen Anne and into our communities, bringing excellence in early music to those who don't have easy access. 

-Competitively Pay Our Artists!  The Bank of the 'Love of Music' can't use Venmo. We want to do our part to help PNW artists keep sharing their talents right here at home in Washington. 

-Increase our Sustainability for Season 10 and Far Beyond! George Bozarth and Tamara Friedman laid beautiful and vital groundwork of arts engagement in the PNW. Help us and Lindsey not only continue their work, but build on it, as we embark on our new part of our journey as an organization and as a region.

With your contributions, Musique du Jour Presents! will be able to expand to new communities, bringing early music to those who previously did not have access. George Bozarth built a beautiful foundation—one that Lindsey is excited to carry forward with your support.