After serving for seventeen years, retired solicitor Paul Crowe has decided to stand down as Secretary of Inverness Chamber Music Society.

In the early 90s,  Paul and a group of friends, all fellow music lovers, came together to play Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet privately but soon realised that there was an opportunity in Inverness to present Chamber Music to a wider audience, and in 1994, Inverness Chamber Music Society was born. This gave them the opportunity to bring professional players to the Highlands to hear the works Paul’s band of players had laboured over.   Initial concerts took place in Charleston Academy, featuring visiting artists such as the Yggdrasil String Quartet from Sweden who performed several concerts, including the World Premiere of “Forest, River, Ocean” for String Quartet and Carnyx by Nigel Osborne.

By 2002, now using Inverness Town House as the venue for concerts, the Society was promoting six concerts a year over the winter season offering a wide variety of chamber music, although members were aware that a more suitable piano would be needed if there were not to be some restrictions on programming.

Paul took on the campaign to raise the finances required to purchase a new piano for Inverness Town House.  Matters came to a head when Eden Court went dark for its major refurbishment and the Society’s programme became the principal source of classical music in the city.  Paul’s efforts came to fruition in September 2006 when he helped push the excellent new Bosendorfer grand piano up the stairs to the Main Hall of the Town House.

Paul’s other ambition, a professional performance of the “Trout” Quintet, was achieved in January 2007 when a capacity audience enjoyed a memorable concert by the Carducci Quartet with pianist Nicola Eimer, the highlight of a nine concert season.

During Paul Crowe’s tenure as Secretary, he has guided the growth of Inverness Chamber Music from embryonic group to the prominent position it now holds in the cultural life of the city, able to attract artists of international stature such as Stephen Kovacevich to Inverness.

Chairman Alison Marr paid tribute to Paul at the Annual General Meeting when he retired.  “Paul’s contribution to Inverness Chamber Music cannot be underestimated.  His perseverance and determination has seen the Society overcome many obstacles.  His musical knowledge, especially of the piano, has been invaluable.  After seventeen years as our Secretary, he hands over his duties for a society that is in a very healthy position thanks primarily to all he has done during his tenure.”

Source: Inverness Chamber Music