1807 & Friends is all about great classical chamber music. We had our beginnings at a Philadelphia house address, 1807 Sansom Street, where students and professional world-class musicians got together to explore the marvelous world of chamber music. 1807 & Friends was incorporated and gave its first public concert in 1981, which was hailed with a standing ovation.
     Our concert subscription series is now in its 38th season. We began giving children's concerts in 1992 and in 1996 developed the first of a series of imaginative interactive educational presentations called "Sounds of the Strings," which we bring into schools in the Philadelphia region. These have become some of the most sought-after music education programs in the area.
    Our Young Composers Project, now part of the Philadelphia School District’s Office of Strategic Partnerships, visited the Philadelphia High School for Girls this year. Their orchestra students composed a remarkable piece about overcoming pain and terror to grow and blossom into empowered personalities. It was entitled, “Budding Flowers — a Chromatic Metamorphosis.” This Project is underwritten by a generous grant from the Borowsky Family Foundation. Our many outreach concerts and lectures have become an integral part of our work.
     We perform the great chamber works spanning nearly three centuries. Our constituent ensembles are made up of world-class musicians who have been praised for their stunning performances of music which many people consider to be some of the world’s greatest creative achievements.