The music of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes (OSFL) has resonated throughout the Twin Tiers since 1995. The OSFL was organized under the auspices of CEMA (Corning-Elmira Musical Arts) which merged two cherished orchestras, the Elmira Symphony and the Corning Philharmonic Society, and their choruses with the mission of providing live classical music to the region.
Since its first season in 1995-1996, the OSFL has been committed to the performance of the masterworks of the orchestra repertoire, as well as to performances of works by living composers. Marietta Cheng, professor of music at Colgate University served as the music director from 1995 to 2008. Cheng has been an advocate for opening conducting opportunities for women. She was featured in a story about women conductors for a story on CNN, has written many articles about women in music and contributed to the opinion page of The New York Times.
In 2009, Cheng handed the baton over to the Toshiyuki Shimada of Yale University. Shimada’s sparkling personality and musicianship have won the hearts of the OSFL audience. Shimada served as music director of the Portland (Maine) Symphony Orchestra for 20 years and exhibits a love community in his work with the OSFL: featuring soloists with ties to the orchestra and the region at many performances, taking a delight in attending local events, and even taking time to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
Devoted to working with youth, the OSFL has continued traditions established by its parent organizations: the Youth Orchestra originally established by the Corning Philharmonic and the Annual Doreen B. Hertzog Concerto/Aria Competition, a project of the Elmira Symphony, both of which give local students chances to perform have been continued by the OSFL. The OSFL has added to its music education programs by adding the Junior String Ensemble which gives younger string students a chance to play together.
The OSFL has grown organizationally. Originally, operating without any professional staff, the OSFL is now managed by two full-time professionals. In 2011, the administrative offices were moved to a Market Street storefront making the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes a visible part of the community’s daily life.