Founded by Artistic Director Eliot T. Bailen and his wife, flutist Susan Rotholz, the Sherman Chamber Ensemble debuted in 1983 at the Sherman Playhouse to a packed house and rave reviews. Since then SCE has expanded its activities to a year-round schedule of more than a dozen performances for all ages in a variety of local venues. Starting in 1997 the group has offered a full subscription season of 3 chamber music concerts in both Sherman and Kent, CT. Since 1998 SCE has enhanced its year-round presence with yearly winter or spring appearances at local venues such as the Jewish Community Center and the Congregational Church in Sherman. An annual Thanksgiving weekend series of free matinee concerts in Sherman and Kent mixes classical and popular favorites to appeal to all ages. SCE offered its first children's workshop in 1995 and continues to schedule several events for youngsters each year. Adults and children alike enjoy the regular appearances of the Sherman Bluegrass All-stars, an offshot of SCE featuring Ensemble members and local residents. SCE celebrates its 20th anniversary season in 2002 with the commission of a new work by composer and former Sherman resident Edie Hill as its contribution to the yearlong, community-wide celebration of the bicentennial of the town of Sherman. 2002 also saw the highly successful completion of "Song to Symphony," a residency project by Eliot Bailen at The Sherman School culminating in public performance of musical works created by students and arranged by Mr. Bailen for a full orchestra of SCE regulars and others.

A key aim of the Sherman Chamber Ensemble is to foster a sense of closeness between performers and audience that enhances the feeling of community and facilitates a deeper musical experience. To that end, SCE's summer concerts in Sherman take place in the serene setting and excellent acoustics of the Mauweehoo Clubhouse overlooking Lake Mauweehoo. Additional venues such as Cornubia Hall in Cornwall, St. Andrew's Church in Kent, and the Jewish Community Center and Congregational Church in Sherman have been chosen as well for their intimate ambiance and fine acoustical properties. Repeat concertgoers look forward to the informative and entertaining opening remarks supplied by SCE performers, which add an interesting context to its programs.

Throughout its history, SCE has been committed to a diversity of programming which both satisfies and challenges audiences, presenting a mix of the traditional chamber music repertoire and the best of contemporary classical music. In recent years, audiences and performers have enjoyed the challenge of works by unfamiliar composers like Toru Takemitsu; premieres of works commissioned for the Ensemble such as this season's Sherman: Scenes and Celebrations by Edie Hill; and unusual offerings like George Crumb's Voice of the Whale.All SCE's musicians are world class and have been chosen for their expertise in chamber music, their musical warmth, and their ability to engage with the audience. Regular Ensemble members are Susan Rotholz (flute), Eliot Bailen (cello), Jill Levy (violin), and Sarah Adams (viola). Frequent guest artists have included Kenneth Cooper (harpsichord and forte-piano), Margaret Kampmeier (piano), Chris Pedro Trakas (baritone), Mary Westbrook Geha (soprano), Stacey Shames (harp), Peter Weitzner (double bass), Toby Appel (violin), Richard Lalli (baritone), and the late Samuel Sanders (piano).