upcoming events
Past Concerts
2024
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Museum of Jewish Heritage
From the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra’s “Courage and Compassion” concert at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, March 21, 2024, two excerpts from the world premiere performance of Gary S. Fagin’s “Courage to Act,” inspired by the Museum’s exhibit “Courage to Act: Rescue in Denmark;" Mikaela Bennett, mezzo-soprano; Ben Davis, baritone; one excerpt from “The Children,” music by Gary S. Fagin, lyrics by Eve Merriam; Mikaela Bennett, mezzo-soprano.
2023
2022
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Winter Garden at Brookfield Place
Rescheduled to Saturday, April 22, 2023, Earth Day
The full Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra will send soaring music into the majestic Winter Garden at Brookfield Place in this musical appreciation of the beauty of nature. "Music of Our Sphere" refers to Pythagoras's theory that celestial bodies make music as they move through the heavens.
This free concert will feature works by Vivaldi, Mahler, Copland and Weill, and the world premiere of KCO founder and music director Gary S. Fagin's new cantata "In Every Grain of Sand," which takes its title from words by Rachel Carson, the author of Silent Spring:
“In every outthrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is the story of the earth.”
The event will conclude, as KCO concerts in the Winter Garden always do, with a waltz under the palms.
June 19, 2022,
Museum of Jewish Heritage
Join the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra for a special concert on Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the emancipation of slaves in the United States.
Presenting music that celebrates the Black experience, the featured work will be the world premiere of KCO Music Director Gary S. Fagin‘s Good Trouble, inspired by the late Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis. The Good Trouble libretto pays tribute to Representative Lewis, and also includes texts by Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, James Baldwin, and Barbara Jordan.
This program is made possible in part by support from the Battery Park City Authority and the Frances Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts.
The audience can register to be present in person or see the concert live online.
2019
In a special kick-off to our 11th season, the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra is pleased to announce an exclusive performance of “John Adams in Amsterdam: A Song for Abigail,” music by KCO Music Director Gary S. Fagin, libretto by Terry Quinn, on the evening of Monday, February 11, 2019, at the famed Knickerbocker Club.
Johannes Brahms: Tragic Overture
Henryk Wieniawski: Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor
Elizabeth Pitcairn, violin
Edward Elgar: Enigma Variations
An all-female ensemble from the KCO celebrates Women’s History Month with a performance showcasing great classical and contemporary female composers. Led by KCO concertmaster Belinda Whitney and second violinist Joyce Hamman, the ensemble will prominently feature works by women composers, such as Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann, Amy Beach, Florence Price (the first African-American woman to have a composition played by a major orchestra), and exciting contemporary composers like Jessie Montgomery and Mercedes Zavalas.
Tony-Award-winning Broadway star Debbie Gravitte sings a program of Broadway favorites
Experience the world premiere of KCO Music Director Gary S. Fagin’s delightful one-act opera for children. Based on a Native American myth, the allegory follows the courageous journey of Jumping Mouse as she interacts with other animals and perseveres through challenges in pursuit of her dreams. Wonderfully engaging family entertainment, with four singers and an ensemble of Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra musicians, Jumping Mouse is a beautiful musical parable of inspiration, altruism and transformation.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Overture to Così fan tutte
Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in Eb
Ronaldo Rolim, piano
Stravinsky: Petrouchka
2018
Feb 7, 2018
Location: Battery Park City
Elizabeth Pitcairn performed with her legendary 1720 Stradivarius, inspiration for the 1999 Academy Award-winning film “The Red Violin," in this Kid's Classical Concert on February 7th.
Winter Garden at Brookfield Place
Presented by Arts Brookfield, the "Renaissance & Renewal" concert celebrates the rebirth of Lower Manhattan since the KCO’s first concert in the Winter Garden ten years ago.
Program:
Copland: Fanfare For The Common Man
Vaughan Williams: A Lark Ascending
Saint-Saens: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
Elizabeth Pitcairn, violin
Fagin: Proclamation At A Birth
Copland: Lincoln Portrait
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Central Bucks High School East
2804 HOLICONG RD
DOYLESTOWN, PA 18902
Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor
Tomer Gewirtzman, piano
Maurice Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Museum of Jewish Heritage
Weill: Zaubernacht
An enchanting work about children whose toys come to life as they dream, Zaubernacht is Kurt Weill's first work for the stage, published in 1922. This production by the KCO at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park City will be the first since Weill's long-lost, original orchestration for Zaubernacht was rediscovered.
Special Sunday performance with Jody Oberfelder Projects
March 14, 15, 18, 2018
DelVal Student Activities Center
St. Patrick’s Day Pops Concert
Robert White, tenor
Delaware Valley University
Student Center Auditorium
700 East Butler Avenue
Doylestown, PA 18901
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Central Bucks High School South
1100 FOLLY ROAD
WARRINGTON, PA 18976
Borodin: Polovetsian Dances from Prince Igor
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Simone Porter, violin
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor
Saturday, April 28, 2018 8:00pm
Michael Schimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Fagin: The Struggle To Forgive (world premiere)
Guns, a documentary film by Nick Davis (world premiere)
n this world premiere of a new musical dramatic work by Gary S. Fagin, the KCO will give voice, hauntingly, to those most affected by the gun epidemic in America: victims of gun violence and their families.
May 4, 2018 7:30pm 8:30pm
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Hudson River Park's Pier 45 (cross at Christopher Street)
Time: 8:00 PM
Anton Dvorak: The Water Goblin
Launy Grøndahl: Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra
Duke Ellington/arr. Gary Fagin: Rose of the Rio Grande
Brittany Lasch, trombone
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in Bb
Time: 3:00 PM
Dmitri Kabalevsky: Cello Concerto, Mvt. I
Anya Chan, Youth Concerto Competition Winner
Mary Lynn Lightfoot: Festival Fanfare
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus
Rodgers & Hammerstein/arr. Mark Brymer: Medley from The Sound of Music
Holicong Middle School Robe Choir, James Glaser, Director
Renaissance & Renewal
Saturday, February 10, 2018
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Winter Garden at Brookfield Place
The Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra kicked-off of their Tenth Anniversary Season of performances in the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place.
Presented by Arts Brookfield, the "Renaissance & Renewal" concert celebrated the rebirth of Lower Manhattan since the KCO’s first concert in the Winter Garden. The program featured works by Aaron Copland, America’s great classical composer, including his majestic Fanfare for the Common Man, and Lincoln Portrait, with the stirring words of Abraham Lincoln delivered by Preet Bharara, the former U.S. Attorney for New York. Elizabeth Pitcairn (above, at the KCO's inaugural concert in 2009) returned with her famous Red Stradivarius Violin to play the beautiful A Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Time: 5:30pm
Tango-Waltz-Foxtrot!
Kick up your heels with Gary S.Fagin and the KCO for “Sweet Sounds of Summer!"—a stylish selection of classical melodies for your dancing pleasure, including foxtrots, tangos and waltzes. Or just sit back and enjoy the timeless tunes of Johann Strauss, Irving Berlin and other great song and dance masters!
2017
The Bucks County Symphony’s Winter Concert, including:
Rossini: La Gazza Ladra Overture
Elgar: Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra, Op. 85 - Christine Lamprea, soloist
Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 (The Jupiter)
Gary S. Fagin, conductor
Gary Fagin and the KCO give you an insider's look into the whys and hows of classical masterpieces!
Step into the inspired world of classical music; feel what it's like to experience music from a musician's perspective. Enjoy fine wine and genial bonhomie while supporting downtown's most exquisite classical music ensemble!
Thursday, March 16, 2017
The Bucks County Symphony's Pop Concert with guest artists Jay Ungar and Molly Mason.
Gary S. Fagin, conductor
The Bucks County Symphony 2016 - 2017 season concludes with a program that includes:
Wagner: Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla from Das Rheingold
Beethoven: Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Piano in C major, Op. 56 (Triple Concerto) - Brown-Urioste-Canellakis Trio, soloists
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 78 (Organ Symphony)
Gary S. Fagin, conductor
Enjoy a magical evening with Gary Fagin and the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra on the deck of the South Street Seaport Museum's magnificent tall ship Wavertree.
Be inspired and transported as the KCO performs selections from modern classical masters Igor Stravinsky (Dumbarton Oaks) and Charles Ives (Symphony No. 3, The Camp Meeting) under the Wavertree’s spectacular masts and spars. Program also includes Ralph Vaughan-Williams’ Hymn Tune Prelude No. 1 and other delightful surprises!
8pm Pier 16, at the foot of Fulton Street in the South Street Seaport
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra
Cipriani Wall Street
September 19, 2017
DelVal Life Sciences Auditorium
Rossini: Overture to William Tell
Mozart: Flute Concerto in G Major
Jean Ferrandis, flute
Franck: Sinfonie in D minor
October 21, 2017
Central Bucks High School East
2804 HOLICONG RD
DOYLESTOWN, PA 18902
Family Concert Repertoire
Featuring string players from Bridge Valley, Doyle, Kutz, and Warwick Elementary Schools – Lauren Herrschaft, director
Featuring Lea Wang (violin), winner of the 2017 Youth Concerto Competition
Program:
Tchaikovsky: March Slav
Pablo de Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen
Lea Wang, violin
Handel: Minuet from Water Music
Waldteufel: Skater’s Waltz
Williams: Somewhere In My Memory
Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Bridge Valley, Doyle, Kutz, and Warwick Elementary School Strings
Lauren Herrschaft, Director
December 3, 2017
Mayo Center for the Performing Arts
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Ballet
December 8 - 24, 2017
2016
Music provided by the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra
Raise a glass to the good ship Wavertree, the completion of the city-funded $13M dollar restoration, and to the bright future of the Seaport Museum. Join us for hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and period music from the Knickerbocker Chamber Orchestra.
The opening concert of the Bucks County Symphony’s 2016 - 2017 season with Gary S. Fagin conducting a program that includes:
Brahms: Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80
Spohr: Concerto for Clarinet No. 2, Op. 57 - Narek Arutyunian, soloist
Schumann: Symphony No. 2 in C Major, Op. 61
The Bucks County Symphony annual Family Concert including a program of:
Works by Janacek, Tchaikovsky and Kodaly, featuring the Bucks County Symphony brass
Lalo: Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21, Mvt. I - Youth Concerto Competition winner Nahoko Okamoto, violin soloist
Cold Spring, Groveland, Klutz Elementary School Bands - Mark Appiotti, Director
Gary S. Fagin, conductor
Gary S. Fagin conducts the New Jersey Symphony performing The New Jersey Ballet’s production of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker.