ABOUT US

The West Side Chamber Orchestra, although playing on modern instruments, is influenced by historically informed performance practice and intends to add a significant voice to New York City’s cultural landscape.

Against the backdrop of constant cuts to the arts and a faltering work environment, a group of New York City's finest classical musicians banded together under the leadership of oboist Kathy Halvorson and founded the West Side Chamber Orchestra.

The orchestra specializes in the classical repertoire of music of the Enlightenment.  The style of performance is unashamedly based around historical performance practice, even though the orchestra plays on modern instruments.  This approach allows for fleet and agile tempi and a transparency of texture.

The enthusiastic Irish conductor Kevin Mallon, now resident in Canada – one time concert-master for the French ensemble Les Arts Florissants and a protégé of John Eliot Gardiner – brings his vast experience to lead the enterprise.