ACE History

The Amherst Chamber Ensembles, Inc., or ACE, was an outgrowth of the performances that Dorothy (Dolly) Gaus, violinist, and Ernest Rahklin, pianist and composer, were giving at various venues such as the Jewish Community Center, senior centers and nursing homes.

When Dolly went to a concert of the UB Symphony Orchestra at the University at Buffalo, she met Martha Welte, a violinist who was playing in this concert. Martha soon joined Dolly and Ernest in their performances. They all decided it would be fun to have a small orchestra, so they invited some of their string-playing friends to play some simple music, with Ernest as the conductor.

The group was originally called The Rahklin Ensemble. Roberta Rogers then joined the group, and rehearsals and performances were held at Calvary Lutheran Church on Bailey Avenue, where Roberta was music director. The first concert there was in April, 1993. Ernest left the area in 1994, and Jon Noworyta became the music director in August, 1994. ACE was incorporated in 1995.
In March 1998, ACE moved to Christ United Methodist Church, where they held their concerts until June of 2009. In the fall of 2009, ACE moved again to North Presbyterian Church in Williamsville. (On North Forest Road, just barely north of the junction of North Forest and Union. Map)

Jon Noworyta relocated to Illinois in the summer of 1999, and Dolly Gaus also left Western NY in 2000. Starting in 1999, the group began two years of guest conductors, ending in 2001 when Dennis Lell became principal conductor. When Dennis retired in 2010, ACE had another year of guest conductors. Beginning with the 2011-2012 season, Dr. Thomas Witakowski took over as ACE's Principal Conductor and Music Director.

ACE now has a roster of several hundred musicians who have played with the group on and off over the years. The group name includes the plural word "Ensembles" because various configurations of musicians are used, depending on the music being played. Concerts range from solo performances up to a small orchestra of 40 or so players.

Looking back on our 2010-2011 Season

Board of Directors

ACE board members are selected from interested members of the music community. The current board members are:

Martha Welte - Executive Director and String Personnel Manager
Judith Hirsch - President, Librarian, and Wind Personnel Manager
Joseph Raubar- Treasurer
Jacqueline Ornsby - Publicity/Grants
Zenia Ohsiek
August Grillo - Stage Manager
Stephan Heider - Recording
Roy Clay
David Clem - Receptions