Ames Town and Gown, with support from the Ames Commission on the Arts, will be presenting the American Chamber Players with guest vocalist, mezzo-soprano, Mary Creswell 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall.

The American Chamber Players grew out of an ensemble formed by Miles Hoffman for the Library of Congress Summer Chamber Festival. The group has gone from only performing in the summer in Washington, D.C. to touring North America, from British Columbia to Florida.

Paula Forrest, artistic director of the Ames Town and Gown and former coordinator of the Library of Congress Summer Chamber Festival, said it was only a matter of time before the group expanded their performing as an ensemble beyond summertime in Washington, D.C.

The ensemble’s programs are diverse in repertoire, including new American works to classical masterpieces. The group also uses a variety of strings, winds, voice and piano combinations to perform their programs.

“It’s an unusual collection of instrumentation. It makes a nice combination, which is especially intriguing,” said Stephen Willson, publicist for the Ames Town and Gown Chamber Association.

Members of the American Chamber Players performing in Ames on Friday, include: Michael Mermagen, cello; Sara Stern, flute; Edward Newman, piano; Miles Hoffman, viola; and Matilda Kaul, violin. Joining the ensemble for their performance will be mezzo-piano vocalist, Mary Creswell.

Creswell is on the voice faculty at Iowa State and has performed in operas and oratorios, a recital in New York City and with symphony orchestras, in addition to being featured on the compact disc of Samuel Adler’s “Choose Life.”

Friday’s performance by the American Chamber Players will include “Piano Quartet in C minor,” Op. 60 and Two Songs, Op. 91, for mezzo-soprano, viola and piano by Brahms; the “Serenade” for flute, violin and viola, Op. 25 by Beethoven; and “Chansons Madecasses” for voice, flute, cello and piano by Ravel.

Tickets to Friday’s performance are $20 general admission or free for students with identification. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at Big Table Books, the Iowa State University Music Department office and Rieman Music, 409 Douglas St.