The Essex Community Concerts Committee (formerly the Essex Organ Committee) was formed in 1990 to maintain and program the use of the Cross Memorial Pipe Organ, a gift to the community from Donald Beggs, a long time summer resident of Essex.

Since 1990 the Committee has sponsored a series of evening summer organ concerts, featuring nationally acclaimed and talented local organists. Several years ago the Committee acquired a Young Chang grand piano that enabled it to feature talented pianists as well. In recent years the committee expanded its evening performances to include other classical instrumentalists, including vocalists.

For the 2010 evening summer series the Committee decided to return to its original mission: showcasing quality local and nationally known keyboard performers on the Cross Memorial organ and its grand piano.

The Committee also oversees the Mid Day concerts series on summer Thursdays at 11:30 AM. These informal 45 minute programs are free to the public and feature an eclectic mix of musical genres and regional talent.

Performances are held at the Essex Community Church in Essex, NY. This church was built in the Romanesque style in the early 1850's and is one of the finest preserved churches in Northern New York. Like the Essex Hamlet, of which it is a part, it is on the National Historic Register. Built of the finest materials of its day, the church is acclaimed for its outstanding acoustics.

The Committee, while officially affiliated with the Essex Community Church, is non-denominational and broadly representative of the community at large.