NYS Music 2023

Tag: Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes

  • Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Announces “Holiday Traditions Together”

    The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (OSFL) has announced its upcoming holiday concert, “Holiday Traditions Together,” set to charm the community in early December at the Clemens Center in Elmira. As the region’s premier holiday event, this concert is not just a performance but a vibrant celebration of community spirit and festive joy.

    Featuring a dynamic collaboration with the Honors Chorus from the Alternative School for Math & Sciences, soprano Rachel Schutz from the faculty at Ithaca College, and skilled dancers from Rafael Grigorian Ballet, “Holiday Traditions Together” on December 9 promises an afternoon of enchanting music and dance. The concert will include a special singalong segment, inviting the audience to participate in the holiday cheer.

    “Dancing to the vibrant strains of a live orchestra is a rare and exhilarating opportunity for these young dancers…This concert embodies the spirit of togetherness and celebrates the rich tapestry of talent we have right here in our community.”

    Toshiyuki Shimada, Music Director of the OSFL

    The OSFL offers four regular season full orchestra concerts, including a side-by-side Youth Orchestra and professional musician collaboration, a Musicians’ Choice Chamber Music Series, concerts by the Chorus of the Southern Finger Lakes, concerts by the Youth Orchestra, and educational concerts for children. Under the guidance of Music Director and Conductor, Toshiyuki Shimada, the OSFL is a strong supporter of highlighting the musical achievements of young musicians with its own youth ensembles and the Hertzog Concerto & Aria Competition for young artists in grades 9 through

    The OSFL collaborates with regional cultural partners, artists, and like-minded organizations to advance mutual artistic growth in the greater Elmira-Corning area. Support for the OSFL comes from the Corning Incorporated Foundation, the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Hilliard Foundation, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the governor and the New York State Legislature.

    “We are proud to offer this musical gift to the community. With tickets starting at just $25 and free admission for children under 18, we are making the joy of live music accessible to all. This is our way of saying thank you to the community that supports us year-round.”

    Karen Dusek, OSFL’s Managing Director

    Tickets start at $25 and college students pay $15 if they show their student ID. Entry is free for all youth under 18.

    Tickets for “Holiday Traditions Together” on December 9, 2023 at 3:00pm can be purchased online at their website, by calling (800) 724-0159, or in-person at the Clemens Center Box Office.

  • Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Presents “Music Meets Art” This November

    The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (OSFL) has announced the first show of the 2023-24 Musicians’ Choice Chamber Music Series, titled “Music Meets Art” on November 10. The show features the Chrystallum Quartet, alongside visual artist Suyen Lau, performing live alongside each other onstage.

    Members of the Chrystallum Quartet (left to right): Anita Pawlak (oboe), Nolan  DeSanto (piano), Martha Weber (bassoon), and Angela McBrearty (flute/piccolo).  Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes
    Members of the Chrystallum Quartet (left to right): Anita Pawlak (oboe), Nolan DeSanto (piano), Martha Weber (bassoon), and Angela McBrearty (flute/piccolo). 

    Suyen Lau, a fine arts and design student at SUNY Corning Community College and alum of the OSFL’s Youth Orchestra, will create a new charcoal artwork onstage during the performance. The Chrystallum Quartet will play alongside her, featuring pieces by Telemann, as well as composers Alyssa Morris, and Nicole Chamberlain.

    Suyen Lau (visual artist)
    Suyen Lau (visual artist).

    The visual representation of the aural perception of music has always intrigued me. Some people are wired with strong associations between music and visual art. Suyen is gifted this way.

    Karen Dusek, Managing Director of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes

    The Chrystallum Quartet will play a selection of pieces inspired by the visual arts. “Brush Strokes” by Alyssa Morris is a musical representation of visual arts, with each movement representing artists such as Monet, Seurat, and Van Gogh. In addition, Nicole Chamberlain’s piece will be set to the silent film LeCharmeur.

    As common practice in the Musicians’ Choice Chamber Music Series, oral program notes will be presented by the artists throughout the program, as part of a relaxed, intimate setting for the performance. In addition, Lau’s artwork will be featured on display for audience members to view before and after the show.

    “Music Meets Art” will be presented on November 10 at 7:30PM at North Presbyterian Church at 921 College Avenue in Elmira, NY. Doors open at 6:45 for audiences to see Suyen Lau’s artwork on display. 

    Tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for students with ID, and free for veterans and children under 18. Seating is general admission. Purchase tickets in advance at OSFL.org, call 607-936-2873, or in person at the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes office, 49 Bridge Street, Corning. Ticket sales at the door will be available until sold out.

  • Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Begins 23-24 Season with Chevalier, Mendelssohn

    The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes will begin their 2023-24 concert season on October 14 at the historic Park Church in Elmira. The opening show will feature a piece by Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, titled Overture to L’Amant Anonyme (The Anonymous Lover).

    Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes

    Dubbed the “Black Mozart,” Bologne was a Frenchman of Creole descent whose work has been long overlooked, despite comparisons to many classical figureheads in European history. Bologne is the subject of the feature film, Chevalier, released in April 2023 by Searchlight Pictures.

    Prior to the concert, the Park Church will host a screening of Chevalier as part of the Meaningful Movies series. The screening will be on October 12 at 7PM. Guests can RSVP at OSFL.org to save a spot.

    In everything we perform this season, we are prioritizing music education for all. Listeners get the most out of live concerts by being informed before arriving at the concert hall. We are offering pre-concert lectures, educational activity packets for all ages, and now a popular option of holding a movie night.

    Karen Dusek, Managing Director of the OSFL

    The second piece of the concert is an instrumental adaptation of Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw’s “and the swallow.” Originally a choral work based on Psalm 84, the piece has been adapted for orchestra. Finally, Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 will close the show.

    The night’s soloist will be OSFL’s principal trumpet, Frank Gabriel Campos, performing the Trumpet Concerto by Hummel. Campos authored the Trumpet Technique method book, used at colleges and universities worldwide, and recently retired from tenure at Ithaca College.

    Frank Gabriel Campos

    Season ticket packages are still available and include the October 14th concert. Packages also include 3 full-orchestra concerts and 5 concerts in the Musicians’ Choice Chamber Series. Contact the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes office at 607-936-2873 or order online at OSFL.org.