​2025-26 Orchestra Concert Series

Mark your calendars! You won't want to miss any of these exciting concerts with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes, conducted by Toshiyuki Shimada. 

We are privileged to have our own professional symphony orchestra bringing great music to Corning, Elmira, and the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania. Add to that a Music Director & Conductor of international repute and a long history of symphonic excellence, and you have a true community treasure!

We welcome everyone to come and check out this local gem.  Experience the symphonic effect.
"Wow" just doesn't say enough!

TOGETHER WE ARE SOUND

Saturday, October 18 at 7:00 PM
Corning Museum of Glass
 
Join us for a spine-tingling night of music that stirs the imagination and sends shivers down your spine! From the eerie elegance of Danse Macabre to the haunting beauty of Phantom of the Opera, this one-of-a-kind concert brings together iconic scores from stage and screen with the dramatic power of classical masterworks.

You’ll recognize chilling favorites like the Funeral March of a Marionette (Alfred Hitchcock’s theme), the suspenseful suite from Psycho, and spellbinding themes from Harry Potter and E.T. Let the orchestra sweep you away with the wild ride of Symphonie Fantastique’s Witches’ Sabbath and the thunderous drama of Night on Bald Mountain.

Perfect for fans of Halloween, movie lovers, and anyone who enjoys a little mystery with their music—this concert promises drama, magic, and a hint of spookiness.
Come in costume, if you dare!



​ 
Saturday, December 13 at 3:00 PM
Clemens Center, Elmira

Followed by the OSFL annual dinner fundraiser, “Afterglow”
 
Celebrate the magic of the season with a heartwarming concert that brings our community together in music and spirit. From the shimmering beauty of Wang Jie’s The Winter that United Us to the toe-tapping fun of Sleigh Ride—complete with festive hats—this concert has something for everyone.
Enjoy the dazzling talents of featured jazz pianist Christian Li, the inspiring voices of the Corning Painted Post Choristers, and the rich harmonies of the Chorus of the Southern Finger Lakes in uplifting selections by John Rutter (honoring his 80th birthday) and local favorite Dan Forrest. Familiar carols like Angels We Have Heard on High and Joy to the World will fill you with holiday cheer, while Avner Finberg’s Dances in Freygish adds a spirited burst of cultural celebration.
Whether it’s your favorite tradition or your first time joining us, this festive concert is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays—together.
 
 
 

Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Clemens Center, Elmira
 
Experience the future of music that is out of this world in this inspiring side-by-side concert, where the talented young musicians of the Youth Orchestra perform alongside the professionals of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes.

From the sweeping beauty of Copland’s Appalachian Spring to the bold adventure of Rey’s Theme by John Williams, this program blends tradition and imagination. Be among the first to hear a world premiere by composer Robert Dusek, and cheer on our Young Artist Competition winner taking the spotlight with a dazzling concerto performance.

In honor of Music in Our Schools Month,* this concert is a powerful reminder of the importance of arts education and the joy of making music—together.
​
Don’t miss this collaboration with the Next Gen in harmony.

*Music In Our Schools Month® is a registered trademark of NAfME, the National Association for Music Education.



 
Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM
The Park Church, Elmira
 
The Creation: A Choral Masterpiece
Experience the awe and majesty of Haydn’s The Creation, a musical journey from chaos to light, brought to life by full orchestra, chorus, and soloists. Inspired by the Book of Genesis and Milton’s Paradise Lost, this timeless masterpiece bursts with vivid imagery, heavenly harmonies, and dramatic storytelling.

Whether you're a classical music lover or simply curious to hear the power of over a hundred voices and instruments in delightful harmony, The Creation is a feast for the senses—and a triumphant celebration of life, nature, and the divine.

Come as you are, bring a friend, and enjoy an evening of music that’s both powerful and unforgettable.

*No experience needed—just a sense of wonder.
 

More details coming soon. Sign up for the email newsletter to catch the latest announcements. 

---