Classy. Arresting. Passionate. Diverse.

These are only a few words that those involved with the Ames Town and Gown Chamber Music Association have used to describe it since its first concert on November 26, 1950.

Ames Town and Gown holds a chamber concert series, which includes five performances per year and outreach activities for local schools and community centers featuring musicians from all over the world.

“Ames Town and Gown gets its name from the cooperation of the academic community and the city of Ames; gown coming from the academic robe, and town being the city of Ames,” says Karl Gwiasda, president of Ames Town and Gown and retired English professor at Iowa State University. “And the outreach programs really show that cooperation.”

“The musicians who go into the schools are very enthusiastic and really enjoy working with the students,” says Paula Forrest, artistic director of Ames Town and Gown.

Master classes, opportunities for the musicians to listen to musical performances of music students at Iowa State and give those students advice, Forrest added, are held whenever possible.

Forrest said the musicians also go to Ames schools to work with students ranging from middle to high school students, along with ISU students.

Not only do the musicians work with the Ames students, Gwiasda added, but they also work with interested members of the community.

He believes this helps to build recognition of the artistic and cultural value of chamber music and build the audience.

Musicians have performed and assisted Ames public and private schools, but one group, the American Chamber Players, visited the Heartland Senior Center last January.

Ames Town and Gown holds performances in two places-the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, located in the ISU Music Hall, and the City Auditorium, located at Ames City Hall.

“Arts are part of the human experience and Ames Town and Gown have helped bring in musicians who are very well known,” Gwiasda says.

This year’s performances promise to represent different facets of the world, including American, Italian, African-American, German and Canadian, respectively, Forrest says.

The first performance, to be held Saturday, September 28 at the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m., features tenor Eric Cutler, a native Iowan and member of the Metropolitan Opera Young Artist Program. Cutler will perform with accompanist Bradley Moore.

Eric Cutler has performed in many operas including “The Magic Flute,” “Die Meistersinger” and “Abduction from Seraglio.”

Cutler will also be performing for Ames schools in the three days before his concert.

Upcoming performances

Eric Cutler, tenor

Saturday evening, September 28 at 7:30

Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, ISU Music Hall

Antonio Pompa-Baldi, piano

Sunday evening, October 27 at 7:30

Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, ISU Music Hall

The Marian Anderson String Quartet

Friday evening, January 24 at 7:30

Ames City Auditorium

The Trio Fontenay

Wednesday evening, March 12 at 7:30

Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, ISU Music Hall

Quartetto Gelato

Sunday evening, April 6 at 7:30

Ames City Auditorium