Testimonials

Cordancia is a musical group that embodies so many important ideas in action – their programming is creative, varied, and diverse and the work they do is engaging and inspiring. They embrace beauty and accessibility in music that welcomes audiences in, while also bringing us in new and surprising directions – to different times and places, introducing world premieres, contrasting styles, and music that doesn’t always make it onto other concert programs.

Their collaborations, including the Seneca Park Zoo and Biodance, create new experiences and ways into music. Cordancia’s youth concerto competition program brings young musicians – both high schoolers and college students – to perform as soloists and really connects them to the broader community. It’s because of Cordancia that I’ve met musicians like Adam Sadberry, who was a student at Eastman when he performer with the orchestra, and has gone on to make an amazing impact on the wider world through his artistry and advocacy.

Cordancia also occupies a special role by being a chamber orchestra. Something more intimate that the grand philharmonic symphony orchestra, but still bringing together more voices than the smaller groups such as string quartets or wind quintets. The music written for a chamber orchestra would not get heard these days in Rochester without a group like this.

And who plays in this group? A great mix of professionals and amateur musicians, teachers, and students – it brings together a great group of people who get together to make this music with love, and it is felt by those who experience their music in concert. It was such an honor to have them on Live from Hochstein recently, and the audience responded to the beauty and discovery of music that they brought to the audience in the hall and on the radio.

Finally, from a practical standpoint: it’s important that they have been continuing to do this work now for 15 years – creating this art and community effort in a sustained manner, knowing that they are continuing to build on the connections they have made and the audiences that have been drawn into their world. Their artistic leadership, including founders Pia Liptak and Kathleen Suher, artistic director Evan Mecarello, and conductor Rachel Lauber all have earned respect and trust from the orchestra’s musicians and the community that continues to be inspired by this vibrant musical ensemble.

Mona Seghatoleslami

Music Director/Announcer/Producer

WXXI Public Media

Cordancia embodies and extends Rochester's rich tradition of classical music. It offers audiences affordable access to extremely high quality musicianship with wonderful programming and guest appearances. The positive environment established for the musicians in Cordancia enhances Rochester's position as a great place for musicians to be supported and to thrive.

Cordancia performs a number of very important roles in Rochester's musical life. They present innovative, unusual, and ambitious repertoire that should be heard more frequently. They provide an ensemble where very fine amateur musicians can develop by performing alongside professional players. They also collaborate actively with many other Rochester ensembles, and make it possible for large-scale collaborative projects to succeed.

I attend many chamber music concerts in Rochester, but Cordancia is by far my favorite group. Cordancia’s musicians are superb: an exciting mix of professionals and amateurs, engaging our community’s riches in a unique way. The programming is always thoughtfully put together, in a way that is educational as well as inspiring. Rare works by famous composers might be paired with the work of a lesser known composer, so that the pieces “speak to” each other. Each concert highlights music that is rarely performed and hence eye-opening—or, I should say, ear-opening. Cordancia is a unique gift to the Rochester community, for which I’m very grateful.

In a short time, Cordancia has quickly become one of the most professionally organized and musically diverse chamber orchestras in the Rochester, NY, area. Communication and planning are among the strengths of the ensemble under Pia Liptak and Kathleen Suher's direction. Cordancia cultivates a nourishing performance environment that elicits a friendly, collaborative spirit from all of the musicians, both amateur and professional. The literature selections for each concert show a careful attention to blending standard works with those that are less performed, and there is a frequent focus on performing with other musicians, including soloists and choirs. The concerts are always top notch, and under David Harman's excellent direction, expression is never sacrificed purely for a demonstration of technique. Cordancia's seasons rival any of the better known chamber music series in Rochester, and as the area becomes more conscious of the ensemble, it's reputation will be cemented as a highly-sought musical opportunity for performers and audiences alike.

Cordancia is one of the most innovative and exciting groups appearing in Rochester. Unique and interesting music is performed by a collection of skilled musicians. Repertoire ranges from familiar to new and exciting, with styles from Baroque to avant-garde. Every type is played with consummate skill and artistry. Audience members range from children to adults. There really is something here to appeal to everyone.

~~Cordancia is the happiest, most currently relevant ensemble I have experienced in Rochester- made up of Rochestarians!~~

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