By Courtney Davis Walker
Design by Justin Negard
Music influences our energy, takes us back to special moments, adds joy to celebrations, and brings calm to chaos. As philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “Without music, life would be a mistake.” Here’s how you can make music come to life, whether you’re a singer, musician or listener.
1. Act it out
There’s no need to go to the city to get your musical theater fix; our region offers several easily accessible and state-of-the-art performing arts venues. You’ll find everything from contemporary works and Broadway tours to community theater showcases and staged readings in towns throughout the county.
Arc Stages in Pleasantville is home to three stages: professional, community and educational. The multifaceted theater company hosts musicals, cabarets, contemporary productions and educational classes. A brand-new theater was recently added, allowing more theatergoers to experience this community gem.
White Plains Performing Arts Center is also home to a professional theater company, offering centrally located live theater in an intimate setting
Yorktown Stage is a musical theater that offers live professional theater, including Broadway hits and classic revivals.
Westchester Collaborative Theater in Ossining is dedicated to nurturing new work for the stage, two mainstage productions and several playreadings each year.
Broadway Training Center of Westchester in Hastings-on-Hudson offers a variety of classes for children and adults, including acting, voice and dance for all ages.
The Play Group Theater in White Plains is a nonprofit, educational theater dedicated to providing process-oriented theater training and diverse performance opportunities to children and teenagers, regardless of financial means.
2. Connect in a community choral
Have you watched “Pitch Perfect” a few too many times and decided it’s YOUR time? Westchester is filled with talented choral groups open to new members.
Counterpoint Singing Group is an all-female group based in Chappaqua led by director Prentice Clark. Their spring concert featured original arrangements based on popular songs like “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac and “Armor” by Sara Bareilles. And their holiday concert updates each year with new carols and holiday songs.
Hudson Chorale is a community-based ensemble of 60 men and women dedicated to making music. In July 2010, the Choral Arts Society (founded in 1937 as the Ossining Music Guild) and the Westchester Concert Singers (founded in 1955 as the Pleasantville Cantata Singers) merged to form Hudson Chorale. Their repertoire spans from early music to contemporary pieces and well-known masterpieces to more unique works, and they present at least two programs a year, with each one typically performed twice.
Westchester Choral Society began in 1942 and performs classical masterworks and contemporary pieces, welcoming both amateur and professional singers. They rehearse in White Plains and present multiple concerts each season.
Hudson Valley Singers began in 1951. This ambitious, amateur chorus performs choral music spanning the 17th to 20th centuries. They are known for their challenging repertoire and contribution to the local cultural scene.
The New Choral Society is a professional-level community chorus in Scarsdale that focuses on classical choral works and collaborates with notable artistic organizations. They perform at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church and present several concerts each season.
3. Be a rock star
School of Rock Bedford was built to make those rockstar dreams a reality. Kids and adults, from beginner to advanced, learn to rock out in a variety of genres on guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and vocals. Students perform at community-based events and regularly play at local venues.
Mike Risko Music School in Ossining offers lessons that are tailored to each student’s schedule, needs and abilities. Check out their summer rock band experience or musical theater camp, learn an instrument or even host a music-themed birthday party.
4. Attend concerts
When it comes to live music venues, Westchester has several to choose from.
The Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in Peekskill hosts live music and performing arts productions year-round. Originally built as a 1500-seat movie palace in 1930, it’s now a Westchester County landmark and on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. Check out Super 70’s Rock Show featuring Super Trans Am on July 25 and Asleep at the Wheel on August 16.
Tarrytown Music Hall is also listed on the National Register for Historic Places. It’s the oldest theater in Westchester, the fifth oldest in New York State, and one of the oldest in the nation. Look forward to upcoming performances from Roseanne Cash on July 18 and Dave Mason on August 10.
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah is a destination for incredible music and performances in a breathtakingly beautiful setting. Check out the Orchestra of St. Luke’s & Stella Chen on the violin on July 13, the Jazz Festival on July 26, and Lyle Lovett and his Large Band on August 2.
The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester has hosted legendary acts like the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin and Pink Floyd. Check out Graham Nash on July 11, The Avett Brothers on August 8, and Bonnie Raitt on August 20.
Irvington Theater has been a vital presenter and curator of theater, music, dance, film, and comedy for over 40 years. Their arts partners include Broadway Training Center, Clocktower Players and River’s Edge Theater Company.
Emelin Theatre, a non-profit in Mamaroneck, was founded in 1972. Performances include all genres of music, comedy, dance and family theater, and they also show a range of independent and contemporary films. Check out the ABBA tribute band Mamma Mania! on July 17 and Little Lies, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, on July 31.
The Performing Arts Center at Purchase is a four-theater complex on the SUNY Purchase campus. Performances are available for the general public and include everything from chamber music and jazz to popular music and contemporary dance, as well as family programming.
Westchester County Center offers a few concerts a year. Their next one will be on October 25 and feature several 80s groups, such as C&C Music Factory and Sugar Hill Gang.
5. Sign me up!
Join email lists for your favorite artists, bands, music labels and venues. These lists keep you up to date, give you early access to tickets, and sometimes offer exclusive discounted tickets. (Pro tip: Being on a list also helps your favorite musicians/bands.
This article was published in the July/August 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
Emma Lazar
