Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble

Described as “sonic perfection” (AWE, 2007) and “breaking the rules to bring the love of classical music to the next generation” (Ben Johnson, SI Advance, 2007), Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble (MCCE) is a professional classical chamber music ensemble that has been contributing to the classical music landscape with concerts that have brought audiences closer to the beauty of chamber music since 2004.

MCCE's mission is to present and promote chamber music performances; provide an artistic home for musicians to practice their craft; and support young and/or emerging composers via commissioning new works and performance opportunities. MCCE has been recognized for the comprehensive and fresh approach it brings to the performance field: the exceptional artistry of the Ensemble musicians in the classical arena; performances feature a compelling presentation style of casual audience interaction; exciting concert-related activities, with special attention to documenting new American chamber music and that includes an annual composer-in-residence opportunity. MCCE has presented over 130 concerts and impacted over 26,000 residents. Programming highlights include “Gemini” – an original, audience-interactive collaboration commissioned by MCCE from composer Tina Kenny and filmmaker Don Arangio; "Even This is Paradise" - a premiere based on an 8th C Tibetan text by Andrew Sterman; collaborations with WaFoo, the rock band Eyes on Infinity, commissions and premieres by luminaries Mick Rossi (Paul Simon), Sean Friar (Prix de Rome), and Laura Kaminsky (Symphony Space), as well as works by JS Bach, Debussy, and Mozart. MCCE's mission is to bring a deeper appreciation of music to the greater SI community through wide-ranging presentations of classical and contemporary music where audiences of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy authentic, artistically excellent, and educational chamber music experiences at a modest cost in their home borough.  MCCE regularly video livestreams concerts, holds an annual nationwide composer search, maintains a youtube channel, produces/performs an Annual Open Air Music Festival, performs free concerts for developmentally disabled adults, and teaches the Roaring Chorus, a free program for seniors.

MCCE is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization.