History

Founded in the summer of 2023 by cellist and Rockaway local Emily Brausa, Rockaway Chamber Music (RCM) is a collective of professional musicians bringing a high level of classical music to the underserved community of Rockaway Beach, NY. RCM’s first concert took place at Edgemere Farm as a part of the volunteer-run organization’s annual plant fundraiser. Since then, we have performed on the boardwalk at the 94th St Bandshell, at Arverne Cinema numerous times, and twice at Rockaway Film Festival live-scoring films.

Concerts are free or reasonably priced to maintain accessibility for locals and visitors to the Rockaway community. With flexible instrumentation and programing that encompasses new and standard repertoire, RCM creates a fun experience of accessible classical music.

Part of the charm of bringing outdoor classical music to the Rockaway peninsula is acknowledging our unique soundscape: Sometimes we are bombarded by planes overhead from JFK; sometimes we hear passing reggaeton from beach goers; and sometimes we get to make music with the wind and local birds. In the spirit of chance music, RCM welcomes all collaborations with our foundational chamber music colleague: Rockaway.