Violinist Daniel Chong and violist Jessica Bodner will assume the role in the 2025-26 season
The Concord Chamber Music Society (CCMS) has announced the appointment of violinist Daniel Chong and violist Jessica Bodner, founding members of the Grammy Award-winning Parker Quartet, as co-artistic directors. Their leadership will commence with the 2025-26 season.
’We are delighted to welcome Daniel and Jessica to our community. Their combined extraordinary talents, vision, and passion for the arts will lead our organisation into an exciting new chapter,’ said Dr. Nancy Sokol, CCMS president.
’Together, they bring a wealth of experience, fresh perspectives, and an inspiring commitment to artistic excellence. We look forward to the innovative and impactful seasons they will create. We are confident that our community will continue to thrive and be inspired under their visionary artistic leadership.’
Chong and Bodner said they were ‘thrilled’ to take up the new role, describing it as ‘exciting and an honour.’
’As founding members of the Parker Quartet, we have dedicated over 20 years to performing chamber music around the world. For us, chamber music is not just a vocation; it is a way of life that embodies listening closely to diverse voices, collaborating with joy, and fostering spontaneity and creativity.
’These essential elements are fundamental to the transformative power of chamber music.’
Chong and Bodner have served as founding members of the Parker Quartet since 2002. As part of the quartet and as individuals, both have made numerous performance appearances throughout the US and worldwide and received several awards and prizes, such as the Cleveland Quartet Award, plus top prizes at the Concert Artists Guild Competition and the Bordeaux International String Quartet Competition.
The Parker Quartet has recorded for ECM Records, Zig-Zag Territoires, Naxos and Nimbus. The members serve as professors of the practice at Harvard University’s Department of Music in conjunction with the ensemble’s appointment as Blodgett quartet-in-residence.
CCMS aims to enhance the cultural life of the greater Boston area by presenting affordable, high-calibre concerts, and through community and educational outreach.
Performances have featured ensembles and artists such as the Juilliard, Borromeo, Muir, Pacifica, Takács, Parker, and Jerusalem Quartets; the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson and Hermitage Piano Trios; Triple Helix; violinists Gil Shaham and Glenn Dicterow; and pianists Yefim Bronfman, Menahem Pressler, Jonathan Biss, and Peter Serkin.
Concerts also regularly feature resident ensemble, the Concord Chamber Players, which includes members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and acclaimed chamber musicians.
CCMS was founded by Boston Symphony Orchestra violinist Wendy Putnam in January 2000 and the 2024-2025 season marks its 25th anniversary.
The number one source for playing and teaching books, guides, CDs, calendars and back issues of the magazine.
In The Best of Technique you’ll discover the top playing tips of the world’s leading string players and teachers. It’s packed full of exercises for students, plus examples from the standard repertoire to show you how to integrate the technique into your playing.
The Strad’s Masterclass series brings together the finest string players with some of the greatest string works ever written. Always one of our most popular sections, Masterclass has been an invaluable aid to aspiring soloists, chamber musicians and string teachers since the 1990s.
The Canada Council of the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank is 40 years old in 2025. This year’s calendar celebrates some its treasures, including four instruments by Antonio Stradivari and priceless works by Montagnana, Gagliano, Pressenda and David Tecchler.
No comments yet