Alliance Classical Players of Rome return to the Rome Art and Community Center’s pavilion this summer to present three outdoor chamber music concerts

Alliance Classical Players of Rome return to the Rome Art and Community Center’s pavilion this summer to present three outdoor chamber music concerts.

Last season at Rome Art and Community Center, where the concerts take place. Musicians pictured, left to right, are Colleen O'Neil, Kathryn Dimmel, Jan Bookhout, Claire McKenney, Judy Marchione, Beth Evans, Tyler Ogilvie, Ed Marschilok, Cornelia Brewster, Kristin Hahn and Michael Cirmo.

“Summer Reflections” is the title of the 2022 Classical at the Center Music Series featuring Alliance Classical Players, and according to the group, the three-concert series features new selections as well as a few favorites from seasons past. The free concerts are open to the public, and the music is enjoyable for listeners of all ages.

Each concert starts at 7 PM and takes place on three consecutive Wednesdays. The July 27 concert features music of William Grant Still, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella suite, a Mozart serenade, and the Holberg Suite by Grieg. On August 3, the group is slated to perform Valerie Coleman’s Umoja, A Holst Suite arranged by Thompson, the Capriol Suite of Warlock and selected movements from the Octet by Beethoven. The concert on August 10 features music of Henry Cowell, Franz Krommer and the thrilling Serenade for Winds, Cello and Bass of Dvorak.

“We have a full summer of chamber music packed into three concerts!” noted ACP organizer and clarinet player, Colleen O’Neil. “Actually, as one might guess, we will be performing selected movements from the larger suites and serenades. Our conductor, Michael Cirmo, has chosen the music this year in order to be particularly audience-pleasing, and we think that our listeners will really enjoy everything that we’ve got planned.” The concerts last around an hour, and are played without intermission, according to O’Neil.

ACP is a professional chamber music ensemble based in Rome, but the performers hail from throughout Central NY, including players from the Syracuse and Albany areas, the Mohawk Valley and the Ithaca area. Musicians performing with Alliance Classical Players this season include flutists Elizabeth Evans and Cornelia Brewster, clarinet players Colleen O’Neil and Kristin Hahn, oboists Janelle Bookhout and Kathryn Dimmel, bassoon players Judy Marchione, David Resig and Jill Myers, along with Claire McKenney, Tyler Ogilvie and Paula Kinev playing French horn. In addition, joining the group on the final concert for the Dvorak Serenade, are Ed Marschilok on contrabassoon, cellist George Macero, and string bass player Spencer Phillips.

Audience members should bring their own seating for the outdoor concerts. The great lawn of RACC opens at 6 PM on concert evenings; folks who arrive early may wish to bring a picnic of their own to enjoy while waiting for the performance to begin. Likewise, the galleries at Rome Art and Community Center will be open to the public for viewing on concert nights as well. If the weather is uncooperative on a concert evening, the performance will be held inside at RACC, with somewhat limited seating available.

Classical at the Center Music Series 2022 “Summer Reflections” is presented in cooperation with Rome Art and Community Center, and is supported in part with funding from The Sears Family Foundation of Rome, The Music Performance Trust Fund in conjunction with Local 78 of the American Federation of Musicians, and the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.