The Musician's Source

for Orchestra Information
in the Hudson Valley

This website is a resource for instrumental musicians.
If you are only looking for public concert information, this website will not have the what you need.

 

Contact information for Rich Simons is available at the bottom of this page.

Cortlandt
Chamber
Orchestra

Rehearsals and performances are at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church (110 Grand Street -- Croton, NY).  The rehearsal schedule varies, but it is usually five rehearsals in a three week period, from 7:30pm to 10:00pm.  Concerts are on Saturday nights, at 7:30pm, but the New Year's Day concert is usually at 3:00pm.

Cortlandt Regional Music Association Facebook. page

Click here for more information about the Cortlandt Chamber Orchestra.

Mid-Hudson
Community
Orchestra
at SUNY Dutchess

Rehearsals are in Dutchess Hall, on the DCC Poughkeepsie campus, and are on Wednesday nights, from 7:00pm to 8:50pm.  Concerts are held in Dutchess Hall at the end of each semester.  An additional off-campus concert is held each semester.

 

SUNY Dutchess credit-students playing in the orchestra must consult the course syllabus for additional information.

Mid-Hudson Community Orchestra Facebook. page

SUNY DCC Academy of Music Facebook page

Click here for more information about the Mid-Hudson Community Orchestra at DCC.

SUNY Orange
Community
Orchestra

Rehearsals are at the Paramount Theatre (17 South Street -- Middletown, NY) on Thursday nights, from 8:00pm to 9:45pm.  Three Saturday night concerts are held each season, beginning at 7:30pm.

 

SUNY Orange credit-students playing in the orchestra must consult the course syllabus for additional information.

SUNY Orange Community Orchestra Facebook.page

SUNY Orange Community College Facebook.page

Click here for more information about the SUNY Orange Community Orchestra.

The following expectations apply to musicians in the three above ensembles:

(SUNY Students should consult their course syllabus for additional details)
 

  • Attendance -- Musicians are expected to participate per their commitment.  The honor of your word and your reputation is yours alone to protect; and while missing a rehearsal is not the worst thing in the world, not being where you're expected to be is a very public indication of your dependability.  It hurts the ensemble when players are missing from rehearsals, so just be there when you are expected to be.  And when life unexpectedly interrupts your plans, that is understandable.-- but by all means contact the conductor as soon as practicable.  And if you have a folder of music that will be needed by other musicians, and you cannot attend, you are expected to make sure that the music still gets there.

  • Musicianship -- All three of the orchestras above are community ensembles, which means that everyone is welcome and enouraged to participate (space permitting).  It's okay if you're struggling with your instrument, and the music is too hard.  Play what you can, and keep trying your best.  You are encouraged to play in rehearsals, even if you don't feel comfortable performing concerts.  Help and encouragement will always be afforded to those who keep trying; and the same attitude is generally found in any community ensemble.  If we each just do our best, then we are sure to enjoy making beautiful music together.

  • Equipment -- At the SUNY schools, there are plenty of music stands, but there is only a limited supply of them for the Cortlandt Chamber Orchestra.  For those playing in the CCO, it's a good idea to have a music stand in your car in case you need it.  All three groups provide folders of music for musicians to take home and practice.  This music is expected to be kept neat and undamaged, and returned at the concert.  Percussion equipment is generally available for each ensemble, but percussionists may prefer to bring their own sticks/mallets.

  • Concert Dress -- Unless otherwise noted, concert dress is tuxedos or dark suits (with black bow ties, and with black shoes and socks), and dresses or similarly appropriate semi-formal apparel.-- Think: "Sunday Best", but in black.  A small accent of color or white (like a vest, or a scarf) is fine.  Short skirts and flashy clothing is distracting, and best to be avoided.  Also, colognes and perfumes should not be used, as they can bother other instrumentallists.

More Local Ensembles

The following ensembles are volunteer or professional as noted.

If known, a contact person and email is listed so you can get more information about playing in that particular ensemble.

ENSEMBLE LEADERS: Contact Rich Simons for corrections, or to have full information listed for your ensemble.

LAST UPDATE: 3/30/2025

DUTCHESS COUNTY

  • Aerophone Community Band -- Vic Esposito, conductor
    A volunteer concert band rehearsing on Tuesday evenings at the Van Wyck Junior High School in Wappoingers Falls (NY), and performing in Dutchess County.  Members pay a participation fee each semester.  Auditions are not required.
    www.aerophoneband.com
    CONTACT: Adam Divelbiss, President -- aerophoneband@gmail.com

  • Bard College Community Orchestra -- Zachary Schwartzman, conductor
    A volunteer orchestra rehearsing on Monday evenings in Olin Hall at the Bard College's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Annandale (NY).  Auditions are required.
    https://music.bard,edu
    CONTACT: Zachary Schwartzman, Music Director -- zschwart@bard.edu

  • Erehwon Ensemble -- David Ridge, conductor
    A professional chamber orchestra performing in several locations in the Hudson Valley, but often in Poughkeepsie (NY).  Auditions are required.
    http://www.erehwon-ensemble.com/
    CONTACT: David Rudge, Music Director -- david.rudge111@gmail.com

  • Hotchkiss Philharmonic Orchestra (Lakeville, CT) -- Christopher Zimmerman, conductor
    A private school orchestra performing on the campus of the Hotchkiss School.
    https://www.hotchkiss.org/arts/music
    CONTACT: Fabio Witkowski, Artistic Director -- fwitkows@hotchkiss.org

  • Hudson Festival Orchestra (Hudson, NY) -- Dávid Bánóczi-Ruof, conductor
    https://www.hudsonfestivalorchestra.org/
    CONTACT: info@hudsonfestivalorchestra.org

  • Hudson Valley Council Band -- Chuck Haussermann, conductor
    A volunteer concert band rehearsing on Sunday evenings at the East Fishkill Community Center in Hopewell Junction (NY), and performing in Dutchess County.  The band plays year-round and is open to age 14 and above, including adults.  Auditions are not required.
    https://hvcband.org/
    CONTACT: Vincent Richards, Bandmaster -- varichardsmusic@gmail.com

  • Hudson Valley Saxophone Orchestra (LaGrangeville, NY)
    CONTACT: Charlie Gray - SaxophoneWhisperer@gmail.com
    https://www.facebook.com/HudsonValleySaxophoneOrchestra/ 

  • Hudson Valley Symphony Orchestra --  André Raphel, Principal Conductor
    www.hudsonvalleysymphony.org
    CONTACT: Marcia Gates, Personnel Manager -- info@hudsonvalleysymphony.org
    (NOTE: This ensemble used to be known as the Hudson Valley Philharmonic)

  • Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra (Rhinebeck, NY) -- Kathleen Beckmann, conductor
    https://www.ndsorchestra.org/

  • Smithfield Chamber Orchestra (Amenia, NY) -- Matt Finley, conductor
    https://thesmithfieldchurch.org/orchestra

  • Southern Dutchess Concert Band -- Craig Fryer, conductor
    A free-volunteer concert band rehearsing on Tuesday evenings in Fishkill (NY), and performing in southern and central Dutchess County.  The band meets only from late-spring through summer.  Auditions may be required.
    https://www.facebook.com/southerndutchessconcertband
    CONTACT: Dave Cole, Director -- dave@bigbandsound.com

ORANGE COUNTY

  • Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra -- Russell Gur, conductor
    A paid professional orchestra performing several concerts per season at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh (NY).  Auditions are required for sub-list and fill-time positions.
    www.newburghsymphony.org
    CONTACT: Kevin Ray, Personnel Manager -- kevinraygnso@gmail.com
  • Hudson Opera Theatre -- Ron DeFesi, conductor
    A paid professional orchestra performing operas and choral works in greater Orange County (NY).  Auditions are required.
    www.hotopera.com
    CONTACT: Ron DeFesi, Conductor -- ron@hotopera.com
  • Maybrook Wind Ensemble (Maybrook, NY) -- William "Bill" Gillespie, conductor
    https://www.maybrookwindensemble.org/
    CONTACT: William Greene -- williamgreene215@gmail.com
  • Pine Bush Community Band -- Joe Martellaro, conductor
    A free-volunteer community band rehearsing on Mondays at the Town of Crawford Government Center in Pine Bush (NY), and performing locally, about dozen times throughout the year.  No auditions are required.
    www.PineBushCommunityBand.com
    CONTACT: notes@pinebushcommunityband.com

  • SUNY Orange Concert Band -- Jennifer Budryk, conductor
    A college student/free-volunteer concert band rehearsing on Tuesday evenings in Middletown (NY), and performing at the Middletown Paramount Theatre.  Auditions may be required.
    https://sunyorange.edu/arts_comm/performance/index.html
    CONTACT: SUNY Orange Arts and Communication Department at (845) 341-4787

PUTNAM COUNTY

  • Danbury Community Band (Danbury, CT) -- Albert Montecalvo, conductor
    https://danburymusiccentre.org/program/danbury-community-band/
  • Danbury Symphony Orchestra (Danbury, CT) -- Ariel Rudiakov, conductor
    https://danburymusiccentre.org/program/danbury-symphony-orchestra/
  • Putnam Symphony Orchestra -- Christine Smith, conductor
    A free-volunteer community orchestra rehearsing on Wednesday nights (7:00-9:00) at Brewster (NY) High School, and performing 2 concerts a year.  Auditions may be required.
    www.PutnamSymphonyOrchestra.org
    CONTACT: Kyle Kayler, Assistant to the Conductor -- putnamsymphony@verizon.net

ROCKLAND COUNTY

  • Rockland County Concert Band (New City, NY) -- Larry Zaidan, conductor
    https://www.rocklandcountyconcertband.org/
  • Rockland Symphony Orchestra -- Nicole Peragine, conductor
    A free-volunteer community orchestra rehearsing on the four Thursday nights (7:00-10:00) before each concert, in Pomona, Nanuet, or New City (NY), and performing 3 concerts a year.  Auditions may be required.
    https://www.rocklandsymphony.org/r
    CONTACT: Nicole Peragine, Conductor -- nperaginemcw@gmail.com

SULLIVAN COUNTY

  • Sullivan County Chamber Orchestra (Monticello/White Lake, NY)
    https://hurleyvilleartscentre.org/scco2021/

ULSTER COUNTY

  • Music Institute of Sullivan & Ulster (MISU) - Several different ensembles of various types (Ellenville, NY)
    https://misucatskills.org/
  • Poné Ensemble for New Music - (New Paltz, NY)
    A professional ensemble fthat performs chamber music of the 20th and 21st centuries, with an emphasis on American composers and composers of the Hudson Valley. The ensemble is also committed to the encouragement of newly-emerging composers.
    https://www.poneensemble.org/
    CONTACT: Eric Roth, President -- information@poneensemble.org
  • Woodstock Symphony Orchestra (Woodstock, NY) -- Mina Kim, conductor
    A paid professional orchestra performing several concerts per season.  Auditions are required for sub-list and fill-time positions.
    https://www.woodstocksymphony.org/
    CONTACT: Dana White-Marks, Personnel Mangager -- wchorchestra@aol.com

WESTCHESTER COUNTY

  • Bronxville Pops Concert Band (Bronxville, NY) -- Howard Levy, conductor
    CONTACT: Ron LoPinto, President/Music Director -- thebronxvillepops@gmail.com

  • Excelsior Symphony Orchestra (Mamaroneck, NY) -- William "Bill" Eckfeld, conductor
    www.excelsiorso.org
    (NOTE: This ensemble used to be known as the Saint Thomas Orchestra)

  • New Westchester Symphony Orchestra (White Plains, NY) -- Steven Huang, conductor
    https://newsymphony.org/

  • Northern Westchester Symphony Orchestra -- Gabriel Tevan, conductor
    A free-volunteer community orchestra rehearsing and performing in the town of Cortlandt (NY).  Auditions are not usually required, but space may be limited.
    www.cortlandtmusic.org/Northern-Westchester-Symphony-Orchestra/
    CONTACT: Gariel Tevan, Conductor -- music4evree1@hotmail.com

  • Really Terrible Orchestra of Westchester (White Plains, NY) -- Nathaniel Chase, conductor
    https://donnieboyct.wixsite.com/rtowestchester

  • Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (Ridgefield, CT) -- Eric Mahl, music director (NEW)
    https://ridgefieldsymphony.org/

  • Symphony of Westchester (New Rochelle, NY) -- Barry Charles Hoffman, conductor
    http://thesymphonyofwestchester.org/

  • Taconic Opera (Yorktown Heights, NY) -- Jun Nakabayashi, conductor
    https://taconicopera.org/

  • Westchester Band (Scarsdale, NY) -- Alan Hollander, conductor
    https://westchesterband.org/

  • Westchester Community Orchestra (White Plains, NY) -- William "Bill" Eckfeld, conductor
    https://www.westchestercommunityorchestra.org/

  • Westchester Philharmonic (White Plains, NY) -- Joshua Worby, conductor
    https://www.westchesterphil.org/

  • Westchester Symphonic Winds -- Curt Ebersole, conductor
    A volunteer community wind ensemble rehearsing on Monday nights and performing at Tarrytown Music Hall and the Caramoor Summer Music Festival.  Full-time members pay an annual participation fee, and subs do not.  Auditions are required (full-time and sub-list).
    www.WestchesterSymphonicWinds.org
    CONTACT: personnel@westchestersymphonicwinds.org

  • Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra-- Ariel Rudiakov, conductor
    A mixed professional & volunteer community orchestra rehearsing on select Tuesday and Thursday nights, and performing on Sunday afternoons at Saunders Trades & Technical High School in Yonkers.  Auditions may be required.
    www.YonkersPhilharmonic.com
    CONTACT: Stephanie Merkado Weiss -- smerkw@gmail.com