Westchester Chamber Symphony Inc Information

The Westchester Chamber Symphony is a fully professional orchestra, quickly becoming known in and outside of Westchester County for its first rate and inspiring performances, world class soloists, innovative programming and its world premiers of meaningful new works it has commissioned. Now beginning its seventh season at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, the WCS was founded in 1984 by its Artistic Director, Barry Charles Hoffman. For many years the WCS gave its concerts at various sites throughout Westchester County and in 1994 began its association with Iona College. In 1996, under the direction of Maestro Hoffman, the WCS commissioned and premiered Seymour Barab's The Selfish Giant. This performance was subsequently broadcast on WQXR. As part or our 1998 - 1999 programming at Iona College, principal players of the New York Philharmonic performed Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat, conducted by Maestro Hoffman and received a standing ovation. In February 2000, the WCS gave its debut at the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck with its commission and world premier performance of Seymour Barab's Three Riddles in the Talmudic Tradition. The WCS returned last year to the Emelin Theatre to a sold out house with its world premier of Seymour Barab's How the Elephant Got Its Trunk. This coming January, the WCS will return to the Emelin with a family program on the theme of Trains, premiering a new commission of Seymour Barab. Commissioning new works is an essential part of the WCS's mission. In 2000 at this Iona College series, the WCS premiered its commission of noted composer Jon Deak, with his Duo Concertante for Violin, Viola and Chamber Orchestra . New York Philharmonic concertmaster Glenn Dicterow and his violist wife, Karen Dreyfus were the soloists. On WCS concerts, great performances of the standard repertoire are blended with lesser known but equally beautiful works. Innovative programming has also included concert themes such as "Music of the British Isles," "Music of the Heart," and "Music of Appalachia and Appalachian Spring," the latter with renown folk artists Jay Unger and Molly Mason. The WCS has presented many world class soloists in its performances. These have included: harpist Barbara Allen, violinists Glenn Dicterow and Yuri Kharenko, violists Karen Dreyfus and Emanuel Vardi, clarinetist Stanley Drucker, oboist Matt Sullivan, bassoonist Lennie Hindell and tenor Robert White. This season under the direction of Maestro Hoffman, the WCS continues with its carefully crafted programming. You will be treated to outstanding soloists and inspired performances of some of the greatest works of German composers over the past three centuries; from Gluck to Beethoven to Schumann to Schoenberg. The richness and rewards are here. Come join our adventure!