An Old Time Plains Fight
Courtesy of Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg NY

Dragoons
Courtesy of Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg NY

The Northern Lights Orchestra (NLO) is an instrumental ensemble made up of musicians from Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties in Northern New York. The NLO's main goal is to bring fine orchestral concerts to audiences, communities, and venues throughout the Northern New York region, particularly to areas that do not often have the opportunity to enjoy live orchestral music.

The NLO's repertoire ranges from classical music by composers such as Vivaldi and Mozart to less common programs such as traditional Celtic tunes, movie music, and Americana. Programs are tailored to individual performances and are designed to appeal to diverse audiences, from seasoned concertgoers to people who have never heard a live concert.

NLO Conductor and Music Director Christian Hosmer, of Canton, has lived, conducted, taught, and performed in Northern New York for the past 19 years. He is an alumnus of the Manhattan School of Music in New York and the Crane School of Music in Potsdam. Mr. Hosmer currently serves on the faculties of St. Lawrence University in Canton and the Trillium Music Center in Watertown.

Management of the NLO is shared by orchestra members Agnes McCarthy of Philadelphia (NY), Coordinator for the Southern region, and David Katz of Russell, Coordinator for the Northern region. McCarthy directs the Trillium Music Center in Watertown and co-founded the Trillium String Trio, one of Northern New York's most prominent performing ensembles. Katz co-manages the Russell Opera House and performs in a variety of ensembles in St. Lawrence County. Both have extensive experience managing musical organizations.

The orchestra is composed of professional, semi-professional, and accomplished amateur musicians from throughout the tri-county region. Regular rehearsals and performances help meet the NLO's secondary goal of providing its members with networking and playing opportunities they might not otherwise have. Rehearsals are held alternately in Watertown and Canton to assist with members’ travel time and expense, considering the wide distances involved.

Mountain Man
Courtesy of Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg NY

The Last March
Courtesy of Frederic Remington Art Museum, Ogdensburg NY