Welcome to Grammy Award-winning Cleveland Chamber Symphony
Now in our 46th year!

The Cleveland Chamber Symphony (CCS) performs music of our time that dares to explore. We nurture composers, musicians and audiences through professional performances, recordings, commissions, and educational experiences.

Celebrating the Centennial of Donald Erb

Sunday January 31th, 4:00pm, 2027
Cleveland Institute of Music Kulas Hall
11021 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44106
CIM New Music Ensemble, Keith Fitch, Director
Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Steven Smith, Music Director

A collaboration between the CIM New Music Ensemble and the Cleveland Chamber Symphony celebrating the centennial of composer Donald Erb

Young & Emerging Composers Concert

– Spring 2027 –

Beryl Rubinstein (1898-1952) was a Cleveland treasure, friends with Gershwin, but remains largely unknown.

While researching Rubinstein’s music in the archives of the Cleveland Institute of Music, a manuscript paper with sketches on the cover in a dusty box was discovered, that had been in the basement for 70 years. It was not the second string quartet sketched on the front, but rather an orchestrated version of the first movement of the Flute Sonata, essentially, a new concerto! 

Written during the World War II years, the work comes from a period when very little repertoire was being written for the flute—especially for flute and orchestra. Its discovery offers a rare glimpse into the creativity and musical imagination that persisted during a time of enormous uncertainty. 

In Spring 2027, the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, conducted by Steven Smith, will present the world premiere, with orchestration completed by Dan DeLange and Mary Kay Robinson as soloist.

We are currently raising funds to complete the orchestration and prepare this remarkable work for its premiere. We are thrilled to announce that we are already 50% of the way toward our goal!

Thank you for your consideration in bringing this “new” work to life! 

GoFundMe Contribution Page

– – Past Performances – –

NEOSonicFest with the Ohio Contemporary Ballet

Sunday April 19th, 4:30pm, 2026
The Cultural Arts Center at Disciples Christian Church
3663 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Steven Smith Music Director

Featuring the music of Margaret Brouwer
with special guest the Ohio Contemporary Ballet

Margaret Brouwer, Mandala
featuring Ohio Contemporary Ballet
Margaret Brouwer, Inner Voices
Margaret Brouwer, City Life
***World Premiere
Donald Erb, Harold’s Trip to the Sky

Concert will be live streamed here
Concert Program

NEOSonicFest and our Young and Emerging Composers Concert

Sunday April 12th, 7:30pm, 2026
Baldwin Wallace Gamble Auditorium
96 Front St, Berea, Ohio
Steven Smith Music Director

Joseph Ardo — University of Akron School of Music
Faith Rawlins — Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music
Lucas Sparrow — Bowling Green College of Musical Arts
Owen Axelberd — Cleveland Institute of Music
Jacob Sims — Kent State School of Music

Concert will be live streamed here
Concert Program

Writing for Harp – Trick or Treat?

Apr 10, 2026 at 2:30pm – 3:30pm, 2026
Kulas Conservatory of Performing Arts, Room 115 (close to Gamble Auditorium)
96 Front St, Berea, Ohio
A FREE and open Masterclass

The Harp! What a wonderful, if not under-utilized orchestral instrument. Hear and see tips and treates from the Cleveland Chamber Symphony’s professional contemporary Harpist Julia Kay Jamieson.

While the harp is incredibly versatile, it can also be quite a puzzle to write effective parts.  See and hear examples of harp parts (old and new) played and analyzed from the perspective of a professional harpist – what works, what could be better, what might be crossed out, what notation causes headaches, etc.  Time will also be spent showcasing some of the many wonderful colors, styles, and extended techniques that are possible on this fantastic instrument.  Come with questions!

NEOSonicFest – A Northeast Ohio New Music Festival linking top level new music performance groups into a common festival format.

– Recent Past Performances –

NEOSonicFall: Going Solo
Cleveland Chamber Symphony Special Works

Concert will be live streamed HERE

Sunday September 21th, 2:30pm, 2025
Baldwin Wallace Gamble Auditorium
Steven Smith Music Director

Richard Stout
Songs of Correspondence for mezzo-soprano and string quartet from letters of Willa Cather
Daniel Doriff
Dance Etude #3 for two marimbas
Lou Harriso
First Concerto for Flute and Percussion
Dan Levitan
Invention #1 and #2
Donald Miller
Three Short Songs of Love

 Program Download

Our performance of Donald Erb’s Reconnaissance:

A 1989 conversation with CCS Founder Ed London with Bruce Duffie.

We are gracious for our major supporters including: