Too often concerts do not allow a close-up view of the performers, but Sedona residents can be up close at the Chamber Music Sedona’s library series.

Thursday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. Chamber Music Sedona brings the Zimro Project to the Sedona Public Library, in the Si Birch Community Room where the audience can be close to the performers.

The Zimro Project was founded in 2008 by clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein. It is an ensemble dedicated to incorporating Jewish art music into chamber music programs. It is inspired by the Zimro Ensemble, a group that was active almost a century ago in St. Petersburg, Russia.

“These presentations at the library are very satisfying to me because people can be close to the musicians. We’ll also give away tickets to the Sunday performance, posters, CDs and any other item we may have,” executive director Bert Harclerode said. “At the library we usually have a question-and-answer period with the musicians. The library series is intimate, educational and interactive. It’s meant to introduce people to chamber music.”

It is Chamber Music Sedona’s hope that Sedona residents, as well as many visitors, share the experience at the library with their friends and take the next step by attending concerts on a more frequent basis.

“We want them to enjoy what I call the joys of chamber music, where each musician is a soloist and people get to enjoy the cumulative work that music produces,” Harclerode said. “There’s nothing that beats live performance — nothing.”

When people think of chamber music they are not really sure what it is about, according to Harclerode.

“We try to have programs that are accessible, priced right, engaging and where people who attend have the opportunity to go on to other performances,” he said, noting that the library series is in its sixth year. “Included in the program is the goal to introduce people to national ensembles and local musicians, artists and ensembles.”

Admission to the library performance is two cans of non-perishable food or $5 per person. All proceeds go to the Sedona Community Food Bank. The cumulative amount collected over the six years has been approximately 2,000 pounds of food and about $1,000 in cash.

The series is part of Chamber Music Sedona’s community efforts. The philosophy is what a person gives — in Chamber Music Sedona’s case it is music — comes back.

“Through our community efforts we like to think Sedona is a better place to work and play,” Harclerode said. “It all boils down to one thing, our mission-driven programs. Hopefully, each time people come to a concert and see what we do, they want to come back again and again.”

Chamber Music Sedona’s mission is to preserve and foster the appreciation of chamber music in its many forms by producing world-class concerts, and by presenting and supporting community music education programs.

Upcoming presentations in the Sedona Public Library series are at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, with Thomas Sheeley on guitar; 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, with the Fry Street Quartet. Sunday, April 18, at 2 p.m. will be the Quick-Bowman Piano Recital and Wednesday, May 5, at 7 p.m. will be Tony Trischka Territory.

Chamber Music Sedona expresses thanks to its partner, Sedona Public Library and Virginia Volkman, its director.

The Zimro Project’s full concert will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church on Sunday, Jan. 24, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Chamber Music Sedona office, 1487 W. SR 89A, Suite 9. For more information, call 204-2415.