At the core of the Chamber Music Society are 20 Artist Members who are among the world's most respected musicians. Here they find like-minded colleagues with whom they can make great chamber music on a regular basis, in addition to maintaining their own vibrant careers as world-renowned soloists. Artistic Director David Shifrin invites Guest Artists to perform with this core group, thereby giving Artist Members the invaluable opportunity to collaborate with other virtuosos and share insights. With Artist Members and Guest Artists, the Chamber Music Society can expand as needed to perform virtually any chamber piece. Pioneered by CMS, this structure has been adapted by chamber music organizations around the world.

During the Spring and Summer of 1996, the Artist Members responded to questions about life inside and outside the world of music, with a view toward closing the gap between themselves and their audience. Their comments ranged from such topics as the origins of their career in music and their relationship with their instrument to passions outside of music and recollections of the exquisite moments of their life. Some addressed the link between music and spirituality; that it was not easily explained seemed a perfect example of music's ability to address that for which words are inadequate.