The Inwood Chamber Players is a distinguished ensemble of top-tier freelance musicians from the New York City metropolitan area, formed specifically to perform at Inwood Art Works Community Concerts. This unique group brings world-class musical experiences to an underserved Northern Manhattan community.
Organized by music director Gilbert Dejean, a bassoonist and Inwood resident, the Inwood Chamber Players made their debut in May 2022, and since that time have presented seasonal concerts for Inwood Art Works. The ensemble was created with the express purpose of enriching the cultural landscape of Inwood through high-quality musical performances. By bringing together exceptional musicians who have performed with renowned ensembles including the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, American Ballet Theater, Orpheus, The Orchestra of Saint Luke’s, and numerous Broadway shows, Mr. Dejean has assembled a group capable of delivering performances of the highest caliber.
The Inwood Chamber Players present a diverse repertoire of classical music, with a particular focus on popular works by European masters. Their programs often feature unique arrangements by Dejean, among others, adding a fresh perspective to beloved compositions. Examples of previous programs include the following:
- Mostly French: This program showcased popular classical music by French composers such as Gabriel Pierné, Claude Debussy, and Gabriel Fauré, alongside works by John Philip Sousa, Johannes Brahms, and Sergei Rachmaninoff.
- The Mighty Winds: This program featuring an introduction to the instruments of the wind quintet featuring works by Georges Bizet, Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Giaccomo Puccini, Franz Strauss, Julius Fucik, Johannes Brahms, and John Phillip Sousa.
- Dances Through the Centuries: A concert featuring lively dance pieces for Woodwind Octet. Composers in the program include Ferenc Farkas, Gordon Jacob, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johannes Brahms, Antonin Dvorak, Emile Waldteufel, and Peter Lawrance.
- European Masters: A classical program featuring arrangements of works by Johannes Brahms, Franz Doppler, Maurice Ravel, Ottorino Respighi, Giacomo Puccini, Georges Bizet, Sergei Prokofiev, Amilcare Ponchielli, and Antonín Dvořák.
- The Magic of Mozart: A concert dedicated to the timeless compositions of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, presented through Gilbert Dejean’s distinctive arrangements.
- Holiday Concerts: Annual performances featuring highlights from Handel’s “Messiah” and Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” specially arranged by Dejean to capture the spirit of the season.
Through their performances, the Inwood Chamber Players demonstrate a commitment to musical excellence and community engagement. Their unique position as a locally-focused ensemble allows them to tailor their programs to the interests and tastes of the Inwood community, creating a strong bond between the musicians and their audience.
Through our On Air podcast digital platform, IAW makes live captures of many of these concerts available in both video and audio formats on major distribution channels such as Apple Podcasts and YouTube. This allows us to extend our reach far beyond the physical confines of our local community to national and international audiences, amplifying the impact of the event.
Recent Performances
Meet the musicians, filmmakers, writers, theater makers, and artists of all stripes that make their home in what we affectionately call “Upstate Manhattan”.
Welcome to a special concert edition of Inwood Art Works On Air podcast featuring the Inwood Chamber Players playing classical program featuring MOSTLY romantic works by Amy Beach, Giacomo Rossini, Claude Debussy, Max Bruch, and Gabriel Pierne arranged by Gilbert Dejean. Hence the name of the concert, Mostly Romantic! It also features local singer, Karen Jolicoeur. It was recorded live on May 3, 2026 at Good Shepherd Auditorium.
Program::
Giuseppe Verdi – Prelude to Rigoletto
Giacomo Rossini – A Turk in Italy Overture
Amy Beach – Jephthah’s Daughter (Karen Jolicouer – Soprano)
Claude Debussy – Prelude to an Afternoon of a Faun
Max Bruch – Romanze for Viola and Orchestra (Yumi Oshima – Viola)
Gabriel Pierne – Concertstuck for Harp and Orchestra (Violetta Norrie – Harp)
Musicians:
Helen Campo – Flute 1, Kaoru Hinata – Flute 2 and Piccolo, Ellen Gruber – Oboe 1, Setsuko Otake – Oboe 2, David Gould – Clarinet 1, Katie Curran – Clarinet 2, RJ Kelly – Horn 1, Nancy Billmann – Horn 2, Sara Cyrus – Horn 3, Sarah Boxmeyer – Horn 4, Patti Wang – Bassoon 1, Yuki Higashi – Bassoon 2, Deb Spohnheimer – Double Bass, Violetta Norrie – Harp, Yumi Oshima – Viola, Karen Jolicouer – Soprano.
