Inspired by a shared passion for chamber music, the members of the Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble began performing as a group in 1990. Hailed as the 'premier ensemble of the finger lakes region', they continue their association with the Lodi Historical Society, now in its fourteenth year, with a series of three chamber concerts in their beautiful venue. They also perform their traditional Mother’s Day concert and a Recital Series at the Ithaca Unitarian Church and present a popular Salon Series at the home of ensemble members Roberta Crawford and Michael Salmirs.

Presenting contemporary chamber repertoire and encouraging the composition of new works is an integral part of our mission. Since 2000 we’ve held two new music competitions, drawing entries from throughout the United States, Western and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.

In 2003, we initiated our commissioning project with the piano quintet, “Voodoo Trances, Spectral Dances”. This work, written by New York composer, Marek Harris, premiered to a wildly enthusiastic crowd. In May 2004, we followed up with another premiere: Harris’s Duo-Sonata for Two Violins, commissioned by the Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble and friends in honor of the marriage of FLCE members Patricia Sunwoo and David Brickman.

This season we’re excited to be presenting the premiere of David Liptak’s Quintet for Piano and String Quartet on Sunday October 22nd. This premiere is the result of a joint commission undertaken in collaboration with the Cassatt Quartet and made possible through a generous contribution.