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The Amelia Piano Trio will open the SUNY Oswego Ke-Nekt Chamber Music Series with a 7:30 p.m. performance in the Sheldon Hall ballroom Sept. 17. They are, from left, pianist Rieko Aizawa, violinist Anthea Kreston and cellist Jason Duckles. In all, six concerts presenting the range of chamber music will unfold throughout the year. For information or reservations, visit www.oswego.edu/ke-nekt or contact the Tyler box office at 312-2141 or tickets@oswego.edu.

SUNY Oswego’s Ke-Nekt Chamber Music Series will present six concerts exploring the range of this musical form.

All concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Sheldon Hall ballroom, preceded by a brief 7 p.m. talk by the performers.

The Amelia Piano Trio will kick off the season Sept. 17. The trio — violinist Anthea Kreston, cellist Jason Duckles and pianist Rieko Aizawa — were selected as National Public Radio’s ensemble in residence for their mastery and exploration of music ranging from Beethoven’s classics to John Harbison’s contemporary work.

The Dorian Wind Quintet, appearing Oct. 22, pride themselves on polished and passionate playing. The lineup that includes Gretchen Pusch on flute, Gerard Reuter on oboe, Jerry Kirkbride on clarinet, John Hunt on bassoon and Karl Kramer-Johansen on horn strive to provide accessible and energetic performances.

On Nov. 19, a program of “Chamber Music Greatest Hits” offers familiar and enduring classics. Works by such composers as Mozart, Brahms and Faure will unfold in the hands of players that will include SUNY Oswego’s Robert Auler on piano and Aaron Reece on oboe, the Rochester Philharmonic’s Tigran Vardanyan on violin, and Syracuse University’s Jill Coggiola on clarinet.

“Chamber Music a la Mode” on Feb. 18 will feature the interplay of vocals and instruments translating works from the likes of Schubert, Schumann and Poulenc. Guest and faculty artists will include soprano Julia Broxholm, Auler and Russell Miller on piano, Julie Bridge on horn, Wendy Richman on viola, and SUNY Oswego’s Trevor Jorgensen on clarinet.

The March 4 concert will pay tribute to Aaron Jay Kernis, who became the youngest composer to earn the Pulitzer Prize for music. This performance, a collaboration of SUNY Oswego, Le Moyne College and Onondaga Community College, will salute the works of a man called “the most important traditional-minded composer of his generation” by the San Francisco Chronicle. Unlike other Ke-Nekt shows, there is no admission for this tribute to a much-honored composer.

The season will wrap April 29 with an appearance by Matt Wilson’s Arts and Crafts. When jazz drummer Wilson burst onto the scene earlier this decade, DownBeat magazine hailed him (four times) as its “Rising Star Drummer” and the New York Jazz Critics Circle honored him as “Best New Artist.” Named a two-time Jazz Drummer of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association, Wilson will visit Oswego with an ensemble that includes Terell Stafford on trumpet and flugelhorn; Gary Versace on piano, organ and accordion; and bassist Martin Wind.

Tickets for all concerts are $15 ($10 for seniors and students, $5 for SUNY Oswego students), except for the free Aaron Jay Kernis tribute. Discounts are available for those purchasing passes for the entire series.

For information or reservations, visit www.oswego.edu/ke-nekt or contact the Tyler box office at 312-2141 or tickets@oswego.edu.

Oswego Harborfest has announced that the popular 50-50 Raffle to benefit Harborfest will return in 2009.

Farnham Family Services, an Oswego-based substance abuse treatment and prevention center, is now selling tickets for its 2009 Changing Lives Raffle.

As this column goes to press the 152nd Oswego County Fair should be in full swing at Sandy Creek. During the previous week the Heritage building was stocked full with many new and unique exhibits. We even brought down a piano for some live music!