In partnership with area libraries, Stories with Music promotes literacy among young children and students through the powerful connection of music and literature. OSFL musicians present a featured storybook set to music, along with other musical selections. Fun for all ages, Stories with Music offers a chance to get up close with the musicians of the OSFL, learn about their instruments, ask questions, and enjoy a free concert.
In 2026, three groups of OSFL musicians will perform over 20 concerts at 14 libraries throughout Chemung, Steuben, Schuyler, and Tioga, NY counties.
2026 Stories with Music
How the Little Dragon Finds Happiness
Storied Winds
Lesley McClelland, oboe
David Resig, bassoon
Claire Tuxill McKenney, horn
Wednesday, July 15 at 10:00 AM
Dormann Library
Wednesday, July 22 at 10:00 AM
Horseheads Free Library
Tuesday, August 11 at 10:30 AM
Candor Free Library
Tuesday, August 11 at 1:00 PM
West Elmira Library
Tuesday, August 11 at 3:00 PM
Elizabeth B. Pert Library
Tuesday, August 11at 5:30 PM
Coburn Free Library
Thursday, August 13 at 10:30 AM
Cady Library
Friday, August 14 at 10:00 AM
Southeast Steuben County Library
Wednesday, August 26 at 10:00 AM
Watkins Glen Public Library
Barb the Band Bat
Brass Quintet
Lindsey Burroughs, trumpet
Larry Burroughs, trumpet
Claire McKenney, horn
Sarahjane Harrigan, trombone
Keith Alcius, tuba
Wednesday, July 8 at 10:00 AM
Dormann Library
Wednesday, July 8 at 1:00 PM
Southeast Steuben County Library
Wednesday, July 8 at 3:00 PM
Horseheads Free Library
Thursday, July 16 at 10:30 AM
Cady Library
Thursday, July 16 at 1:30 PM
Fred & Harriett Taylor Memorial Library
Thursday, July 16 at 4:00 PM
Addison Public Library
Friday, July 17 at 10:00 AM
Coburn Free Library
Friday, July 17 at 12:30 PM
West Elmira Library
Wednesday, August 12 at 10:45 AM
Berkshire Free Library
Wednesday, August 12 at 2:00 PM
Big Flats Library
Wednesday, August 19 at 2:00 PM
Waverly Free Library
The Little Prince
OSFL Strings
Rosanna Moore, harp
S. Shade Zajac, cello
Dates TBD!
Some library concerts will be outdoors or at a larger facility. Programs and schedules subject to change. Follow us on Facebook for up-to-the-minute information.
Help us spread the word about Stories with Music!
Thank you to our Stories with Music sponsors!
A special thanks to the participating libraries who make Stories with Music possible.
New York State Council on the Arts’s Decentralization Program, administered regionally by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes, in partnership with the Tioga County Library System
Floyd "Vic" Hooker Fund at the Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers
Upstate Theater Coalition for a Fairgame
Schuyler County Fund of the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes
Douglas G Anderson - Leigh R Evans Foundation
Johnson-Schmidt & Associates, Architects
J.M. McDonald Foundation
The kind generosity of individual donors
Photos from Stories with Music in summer 2024
Photos from Stories with Music in summer 2023
Photos from Stories with Music in summer 2022
Previous Years’ Programs
-
The Frog Prince
Presented Summer 2019 by the Edgewood Piano TrioPeter and the Wolf
Presented Summer 2019 by the OSFL Woodwind Quintet -
Tubby the Tuba
Presented 2020 by the OSFL Woodwind Quintet -
Ferdinand the Bull
Presented 2021 by the OSFL String Quartet, narrated by OSFL cellist Gilbert Antoine -
In the Hall of the Mountain King composed by Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) performed by the Edgewood Piano Trio in summer 2022
Hansel and Gretel composed by Engelbert Humperdinck (1854-1921) performed by the OSFL Woodwind Quintet in summer 2022
Tales of the Deep from The Sunken Forest (premiered in 2021) composed by Eira Lynn Jones, performed by Rosanna Moore in summer 2022 -
Bremen Town Musicians composed by Stanley Freidman (b. 1951) performed by the OSFL Woodwind Quintet in summer 2023
The Race (The Tortoise & the Hare) composed by Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947) performed by the OSFL Brass Quintet in summer 2023
The Wonderland Suite (Alice in Wonderland) composed by Esther Swift (b. 1988) performed by the OSFL Harp & Cello Duo in summer 2023 -
Neverland performed by the OSFL Brass Quintet in summer 2024
Scottish Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends performed by the OSFL String Duo in summer 2024
The Three Billy Goats Gruff performed by Storied Winds in summer 2024