You'd have to dig deep into the history books to find a season like this one. In the coming months, the unveiling of two massively renovated concert halls will coincide with a startling venue change for Rochester's premier early music series. Players could perform last year's repertoire all over again and it might feel brand new. But that's not happening, of course. There's lots of innovation.

First Muse: Chamber Music at First Unitarian (First Unitarian Church, 220 S Winton Rd, 271-9070, rochesterunitarian.org), an edgy chamber music series, kicks off September 20 with "AUTUMN re:PERCUSSION," featuring timpanist Charles Ross, percussionist Dave Mancini, violinist David Brickman, violist Melissa Matson, and Michael Griffin on bass. It's an eclectic program mashing strings with things hit in original works by Ross and a premiere by Marek Harris. Luciano Berio's "Naturale" unfolds with an atmospheric percussion part and a recorded Sicilian fishmonger. Brickman will offer Lou Harrison's "Music for Violin and Various Instruments: European, Asian, African" with four mbiras (thumb pianos), and then he'll team up with Matson to dash off a new arrangement by Jeff Tyzik of "Autumn Leaves." If the music doesn't make you feel good enough, proceeds of this concert at the Unitarian Church on Winton Road help those hit hardest by the current economic recession.

William Weinert's polished Voices (274-1444, esm.Rochester.edu) ensemble offers dramatic harmonic tension September 27 in a "Tribute to a Prince" at St. Michael's Church on North Clinton Avenue. This may be your first and last chance to hear Heinrich Schutz's 16th century work for double chorus, "Musikalische Exequien." Exquisite, heady stuff.

The buzz has already started about major renovations to Eastman Theatre, our big, opulent barn with the glittering chandelier. At the time of this writing, workers are re-shaping the hall, adding boxes on the side walls, and building a rear wall at the orchestra level. Eight hundred seats are out, and you'll have tons more lounge space for people-watching during intermission. Christopher Seaman and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (454-2100, rpo.org) will unveil the results of tens of millions of dollars in updates on October 8 (and October 10-11) with the premiere of Douglas Lowry's "Geo" and Beethoven's exhilarating "Symphony No. 9." The Rochester Oratorio Society (473-2234, rossings.org) under Eric Townell rings the famous "Ode to Joy" with soloists Barbara Shirvis, Jami Tyzik, Charles Reid, and Kevin Deas. Now's the time to start practicing the new moniker, "Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre."

For four seasons, the Pegasus Early Music (703-3990, pegasusearlymusic.org) players cozied to fans in an intimate East Avenue mansion. This fall, they're moving to a much bigger space, the Downtown United Presbyterian Church on Fitzhugh Street. On October 25 soprano Laura Heimes, violinist Julie Andrijeski, viol players David Morris, Lisa Terry, Heather Miller Lardin and Motomi Igarashi, and lutenist Deborah Fox will offer dances, lute songs, and consorts from the age of Elizabeth I, with music of Holborne, Byrd, and John Dowland, including his "Lachrymae," or "Seaven Teares." Simple, melodic lines magnify joy and pain, with a special emphasis on lost and found love.

Violinist Leila Josefowicz has appeared in Rochester many times with the RPO. On Tuesday, December 8, as part of the Eastman School of Music's Kilbourn Concert Series (274-1000, esm.rochester.edu), she'll offer a solo recital with pianist John Novacek, performing music that run the spectrum from J.S. Bach's intense "Sonata in B minor for Violin and Piano, BWV 1014" to Ekkki-Sven Tuur's imaginative "Conversio." Pieces by Schubert, Stravinsky, and Shostakovich round out the program. Josefowicz plays like the wind.

Brenda Tremblay hosts the morning classical music show on WXXI-FM, Classical 91.5.

[ CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS ] COMPILED BY KATHY LALUK

Eastman Opera Theatre begins its season Nov 5-8 with Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon's operatic adaptation of the children's tale "The Secret Garden." Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St. 7:30 p.m. esm.rochester.edu.

Eastman School of Music has a huge season ahead of it, highlighted by the unveiling of the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre in October. The Kilbourn Concert Series begins Tue Sep 29 with the Sphinx Chamber Orchestra, featuring alumni from the Sphinx Competition for young black and Latino string players, and continues Tue Dec 8 with violin virtuoso Leila Josefowicz. Coming in 2010: American Brass Quintet (Jan 26) and Amernet String Quartet (Feb 9). All concerts 8 p.m. in Kilbourn Hall, $10-$20 | The Eastman-Ranlet series will feature the Kilbourn debut of the Ying Quartet with its new violinist, which will cover the complete Beethoven quartet cycle over the next two seasons beginning Oct 11 and Nov 15. Musical America's 2009 Ensemble of the Year, Pacifica Quartet, also plays the series Oct 25. Coming in 2010: Peter Serkin with the Orion String Quartet. All concerts 3 p.m. in Kilbourn Hall, $10-$20. | The World Music Series starts Oct 13 with Turkish music by Omar Faruk Tekbilek and ensemble. Coming in 2010: Wu Man and Friends (Jan 22) and Gamelan Lila Muni (Apr 26). All concerts 8 p.m. in Kilbourn Hall, $8-$18. | This fall the Faculty Artist Series includes composer Allan Schindler (Oct 1, 8 p.m.), mezzo-soprano Katherine Ciesinksi (Oct 17, 5 p.m., free), bass-baritone Jan Opalach with pianist Russell Miller (Oct 18, 3 p.m.), doube bassist Jeff Campbell (Oct 20, 8 p.m.), violinist Frank Huang (Nov 10, 8 p.m.), pianist Rebecca Penneys (Nov 22, 3 p.m.), violoncello playe rSteven Doane and pianist Barry Snyder (Dec 1, 8 p.m.), and violoncello player Chien-Kwan Lin (Dec 6, 3 p.m.). All concerts in Kilbourn Hall, $10. | Other concerts: Oct 2: Computer Music Concert, 8 p.m.; Oct 14: Eastman Celebrates the Musical Legacy of Gerry Niewood, 8 p.m. Kodak Hall, Eastman Theatre; Oct 26: Eastman School Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m. Kodak Hall, Eastman Theatre; Nov 11: Eastman Philharmonia feat. Neil Varon, conductor, 8 p.m. Kodak Hall, Eastman Theatre, free ; Nov 18: Eastman School Symphony Orchestra feat. Neil Varon, conductor, 8 p.m. Kodak Hall, Eastman Theatre, free ; Dec 4: Eastman Rochester Chorus and Eastman School Symphony Orchestra feat. William Weinert, conductor, 8 p.m. | Dec 7: Eastman Philarmonia feat. Neil Varon & Georgios Kouritas, conductors, 8 p.m. Free; Dec 8: Collegium Musicum feat. Paul O'Dette, conductor, 8 p.m. Christ Church Episcopal, free. | All performances take place in Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St., and are ticketed events unless otherwise noted. For a full schedule visit esm.rochester.edu/concerts or call 454-2100.

EROI Festival 2009 - standing for the Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative - celebrates "Mendelssohn and the Contrapuntal Tradition Oct 29-Nov 1, with lectures and concerts utilizing the Eastman School of Music's Craighead-Saunders organ and other local organs. | Various venues around Rochester. 274-1564, esm.eochester.edu/eroi.

First Muse Chamber Music begins its season Sun Sep 20 with "Autumn re: Percussion" featuring Charles Ross, timpani and vibes, Dave Mancini, drum set and percussion, David Brickman, violin, Melissa Matson, viola, Jeff Campbell, bass. Coming in 2010: "String Trios Plus" feat. Juliana Athayde, violin, Melissa Matson, viola, John Haines-Eitzen, cello, Erik Behr, oboe (Feb 7), "Nakamatsu and Friends" feat. Jon Nakamatsu, piano, Juliana Athayde, violin, Kenneth Grant, clarinet, and Melissa Matson, viola (May 23). | All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 220 S Winton Rd. $5-$40. 271-9070 ext. 112, rochesterunitarian.org.

Genesee Center for the Arts hosts the Genesee Symphony Orchestra Sun Oct 25 and Sun Dec 6 for 4 p.m. concerts. $5-$12 | Coming in 2010: The GSO plays Feb 28 and May 2, and the Eastman Wind Ensemble (May 1). Genesee Community College, Batavia. 343-0055 ext. 6814, genesee.edu.

Gregory Kunde Chorale begins its 11th season Sun Nov 1 with an All Saints' Day concert featuring Brahms' "Requiem" (3 p.m., St. Anne's Church, 1600 Mount Hope Ave.), and continues Mon Dec 14 with its annual "Festival of Lessons and Carols" program (7:30 p.m., St. Joseph Church, Penfield) | Coming in 2010: "Absolutely Amadeus" (Jan 3), "Homespun," a concert that reconnects American poetry and music (Apr 25) | All performances $15-$22. 377-7568, gregorykundechorale.org.

Hochstein School of Music's"Live From Hochstein" series continues Wednesdays 12:10 p.m. with the Argos Trio (Oct 21), Antara Winds (Oct 28), Regina Zona, soprano, Joseph Werner, piano (Nov 11), Corinne Stillwell, violin, Mimi Hwang, cello, Elinor Freer, piano (Nov 18), "Holiday Music for Horns" (Dec 2), "A Cup of Good Cheer" w/ Madrigalia (Dec 9). | The Finger Lakes Concert Band performs Nov 7 & Dec 12 at Canandaigua Middle School, 215 Granger St. 7:30 p.m. $5. | Holiday performances include the Annual Performathon, (Dec 5-6, Eastview Mall); "A Holiday Concert of Voices" w/Hochstein Little Singers, Hochstein Youth Singers, Hochstein Singers and Hochstein Chorale (Dec 12, 3 p.m.); The Hochstein Choral Holiday Concert (Dec 14, 7:30 p.m.) | Other concerts include "Night of Encores" w/Gary Palmer and Friends (Nov 14, 8 p.m., tix TBD); Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra (Nov 15, $5); Phillharmonia & Sinfonia (Nov 22, 7 p.m.) | Unless otherwise noted, all performances take place at Hochstein School of Music and Dance, 50 N. Plymouth Ave. For a full schedule of concerts and events call 454-4596 or visit hochstein.org.

Memorial Art Gallery hosts the weekly Going for Baroque organ recitals every Sunday at 1 & 3 p.m.; free with gallery admission. Additionally you can catch "Italian Baroque Organ Concert: Music for Strings" feat. Bin Huang, Boel Gidholm, violin; Chris Haritatos, cello; and Ulrika Davidsson, organ (Nov 15, 5:30 p.m.) and "Christmas at the Memorial Art Gallery" feat. David Higgs, organ, and other guest musicians (Dec 20, 5:30 p.m.) 500 University Ave. 276-8900, mag.rochester.edu.

Mercury Opera's fifth season launches in 2010 with a focus on the masterworks of Verdi, "La Traviata" (Jan 15-17) and "Aida" (May 20-22). The company also performs with the RPO in November (see RPO listing), and tours local elementary schools with a production of "The Three Little Pigs." | Kodak Hall in the Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St. $22-$85. 473-6567, mercuryoperarochester.org.

MonroeCommunity College brings in Guitar Foundation of America competition winner Gabriel Bianco for a recital and master class Tue Oct 27 (4 p.m., Building 12-126 Band Room, free). Other performances include: Visual and Performing Arts Department Fall Concert (Oct 14, Fine Arts Building 12), Instrumental Concert (Dec 2, MCC Theatre, Building 4), and Vocal Concert (Dec 9, Fine Arts Building 12). Coming in 2010: 41st Annual MCC Jazz Festival (Apr 28). | 1000 E Henrietta Rd. For a full schedule of events check monroecc.edu or call 292-2534.

NazarethCollege offers a varied season, including: Prism Concert (Sep 27, 7 p.m.); Guest Recital feat. Colleen McGary-Smith, baroque cello (Oct 4, 3 p.m.); "20th Century Consonance" feat. Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra w/ Nancy Strelau, conductor (Oct 23, 7:30 p.m., Linehan Chapel); Nazareth College Men's Chorus and Women's Chorus, Mark Zeigler, conductor (Nov 6, 7:30 p.m., Linehan Chapel); Nazareth College Concert Band: "Carmina Burana," (Nov 7, 4 p.m. Linehan Chapel); "Light Classics" feat. Nazareth College Symphony Orchestra and Nazareth College Chamber Orchestra, Nancy Strelau, conductor (Nov 14, 4 p.m. Linehan Chapel). | Coming in 2010: the Arts Center's Callahan Theater plays host to Band of Irish Guards and Royal Regiment of Scotland (Jan 29) and "Masters of the Fiddle" feat. Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy (Mar 6). | All events are free and will be held in the Wilmot Recital Hall in the Nazareth College Arts Center, unless otherwise noted. For a full schedule of concerts visit naz.edu.

Pegasus Early Music enters its fifth season of celebrating early music Sun Sep 27 with violinist Elizabeth Wallfisch ( 3 p.m. ), and continues Sun Oct 25 with "Tears and Triumphs: Music for the Virgin Queen," featuring soprano Laura Heims, violinist Julie Andriejeski, vocalists David Morris, Lisa Terry, Heather Miller Lardin, and Motomi Igarashi, and lutenist Deborah Fox (4 p.m.) | Coming in 2010: "Music and Medicine" (Jan 29-31) and "Characters of Dance" (May 2), featuring Baroque dances by Paige Whitley-Bauguess. | Fall concerts at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh St. $15-$55. 703-3990, pegasusearlymusic.com.

Penfield Symphony Orchestra performs its well-titled October Concert on Oct 26, and its Holiday Concert Dec 14. | Coming in 2010: February Concert (Feb 8); "Music for a Sunday Afternoon" (Mar 28, Casa Larga Winery); May Concert (May 17); "Picnic Pops" (May 30, Veteran's Memorial Park). | All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Broncroft Community Church, 2350 Broncroft Blvd., Penfield unless otherwise noted. $10-$25. 872-0774, penfieldsymphony.org.

Rochester Boys Choir performs Dec 4 with "Welcome Yule" (7:30 p.m. Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave., $8) and Dec 12 with a Holiday Concert and Silent Auction (3 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 141 East Ave., $5). 271-1050, rochesterboyschoir.org.

Rochester Celebrity Organ Recital Series is a new series started by the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists. After a fall concert by Todd Wilson, it continues in 2010 with performances by Joan Lippincott (Feb 12, Christ Church, works of J.S. Bach) and Michel Bouvard (Apr 30, Sacred Heart Cathedral, works by Grigny, Boely, Franck, etc.). $10-$15. 544-7998, agorochester.org.

Rochester Chamber Orchestra opens its 46th season Dec 6 with a performance of Handel's "Messiah" featuring Classical Idol winner Jacqueline Noparstak, Glimmerglas Opera alto Leah Wool, tenor Douglas Ahlstedt, bass Dean Peterson, and the Bach Children's Chorus (7 p.m.). Coming in 2010: "Concertos & A Premiere" (Mar 28), concert with Native American musician Arvel Bird (May 16). | All shows take place at Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 N Plymouth Ave. $10-$20. 443-9778, rochesterchamberorchestra.org.

Rochester Gay Men's Chorus holds its annual holiday show Dec 4-5, this year with the theme "Make the Season Bright." Rest of the 2009-10 schedule TBD. Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 N Plymouth Ave. 8 p.m. thergmc.org.

Rochester Institute of Technology's Performing Arts Series brings in trumpet player Herb Smith on Sep 25 with the program "Louis and Ella," featuring the music of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, and hosted by Michael Lasser. Ingle Auditorium, RIT. 8 p.m. $5-$15. events.rit.edu.

Rochester Oratorio Society joins in the big opening night at the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre Oct 8, 10 & 11 performing Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with the RPO. After that its season includes a Nov 7 performance at Hochstein Performance Hall along with the ROS Orchestra, followed by a holiday show Dec 12 with the RPO at Kodak Hall. Coming in 2010: Program of movie scores w/RPO (Feb 26-27, Kodak Hall), Verdi's "Requiem" w/RPO (May 20-22, Kodak Hall), plus the return of the Classical Idol Vocal Competition (Mar 27, Hochstein) . 473-2234, rossings.org.

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra will unveil the new Kodak Hall inside the Eastman Theatre in style Oct 8-11 with "The Eastman Reopens! Beethoven's Ninth" feat. the Rochester Oratorio Society, Barbara Shirvis, soprano, Jami Tyzik, mezzo-soprano, Charles Reid, tenor, and Kevin Deas, baritone. Other concerts include: "The Classical Era" (Oct 2-4, Hochstein Performance Hall); "The Magic of Motown" feat. musical groups Spectrum and Radiance (Oct 23-25); violin virtuoso Vadim Gluzman (Oct 29-31); orKIDStra: "Carnival of Animals" (Nov 1, Hochstein Performance Hall); Van Cliburn Competition Winner w/Arlid Remmereit, guest conductor (Nov 5-6); "Opera in Love" feat. Mela Dailey, soprano, Jami Tyzik, mezzo-soprano, Brandon McReynolds, tenor and Marcus DeLoach, baritone (Nov 13-14); Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto w/ Hanna Lintu, guest conductor, and Augustin Hadelich, violin (Nov 19-21); "The Glory of Baroque" feat. Benton Hess, guest conductor (Nov 20-22, Hochstein Performance Hall); "The Nutcracker" feat. Rochester City Ballet and Bach Children's Chorus (Nov 27-29); "A Classical Christmas" feat. Rochester Oratorio Society (Dec 12); orKIDStra: "Holiday Favorite: The Snowman" (Dec 13); "Gala Holiday Pops" feat Doug LaBerecque, tenor, and the Festival High School Chorale (Dec 18-20). | Coming in 2010: "The Glory of Gospel" feat. Wycliffe Gordon (Feb 5-6), "Valentine's Weekend: Romeo & Juliet" feat. Justin Brown (Feb 11-13), "Orchestral Fireworks!" feat. Juliana Athayde, violin (Mar 11-13), "ABBA: The Hits" (Mar 19-21), Paganini's Rhapsody feat. Misha Dichter, piano (Apr 15-17), "South Pacific in Concert" (Apr 23-25), "Verdi's Aida in Concert" feat. Mercury Opera Rochester (May 20-22), "A Centennial Celebration with Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw" feat. Dave Bennett, clarinet, the Dave Bennett Quartet, and Carol McCartney, vocals (May 28-29) | All concerts begin at 8 p.m. at the Kodak Hall, Eastman Theatre unless otherwise noted. 454-2100, rpo.org.

Strong National Museum of Play Making American Music Series continues Sep 23 with "A Tribute to Benny Goodman" with John Beck and friends, followed on Oct 14 with "Divas of American Pop" with Cindy Miller, and "Good Ol' Country Classics" with Craig Wilkins and the Western New Yorkers on Nov18. | Coming in 2010: "Music of the Silver Screen" (Jan 13), "Pure A Cappella" (Feb 10), "Hollywood's Jazziest Hits" (Mar 10), etc. | 1 Manhattan Sq. Wed 7:30 p.m. $14-$17. 263-2700, museumofplay.org.

SUNY Geneseo continues its Limelight & Accents Performing Arts Series Sat Oct 24 with a cappella quartet The Blanks (known from their appearances on "Scrubs"; held in Kuhl Gymnasium, $17-$25), and continues Sat Dec 12 with Dallas Brass Holiday. Coming in 2010: Harlem Gospel Choir (Feb 13). Wadsworth Auditorium, SUNY Geneseo. 8 p.m. $6-$16. 245-5873, geneseo.edu/limelightandaccents.