Harlem Chamber Players

The Harlem Chamber Players is an esteemed ensemble of professional musicians known for their dedication to delivering high-quality, affordable, and accessible live classical music to the Harlem community and beyond. This ethnically diverse collective not only aims to perform for the people of Harlem but also strives to build a wider audience for classical music through community engagement, educational outreach, and collaborations with local arts organizations, schools, and cultural institutions. Furthermore, the group is committed to creating opportunities for classically trained musicians of color. The origins of The Harlem Chamber Players can be traced back to 2008 when clarinetist Liz Player and the late violist Charles Dalton, who had met during a performance at a Black History Month gala concert at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, were inspired to create a summer music festival in the Manhattanville/West Harlem neighborhood. This initiative was supported by the late Janet Wolfe, founder of the New York City Housing Authority Symphony Orchestra and a patron of minority classical musicians. The festival, known as Music at St. Mary's, quickly gained acclaim and led to the establishment of an ongoing series at the historic St. Mary's Episcopal Church, with the support of its former rector, Rev. Dr. Earl Kooperkamp. After Charles Dalton's departure in 2010, Liz Player joined forces with Carl Jackson, an East Harlem native, to officially form The Harlem Chamber Players. The group has since performed at numerous prestigious venues, including Aaron Davis Hall, the Apollo Theater, the Cotton Club, and Carnegie Hall, among others. Their partnerships extend to various organizations such as the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Harlem Opera Theater, Columbia University, and the Brooklyn Museum, to name a few. Their efforts have been recognized in publications like the New York Times, Harlem News, The Wall Street Journal, and on platforms such as NPR and ABC's Here and Now. St. Mary's Episcopal Church, the home of the Music at St. Mary's series and a key location for The Harlem Chamber Players, boasts a rich history dating back to 1823. It is the oldest church congregation continuously serving the same site in Harlem. Known for its commitment to social justice and community service, the church offers various outreach programs and has been a cornerstone of the West Harlem community for nearly two centuries. The church complex, including the parish house and Sunday School building, was designated a New York City landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission in 1998. The Harlem Chamber Players continue to enrich the cultural landscape of Harlem through their performances and outreach efforts, fostering a love for classical music and supporting the artistic growth of musicians of color. Their website offers further information on their musicians, administrative team, and a calendar of events for those interested in exploring their work further.