SALEM — The Salem Philharmonic Orchestra will begin its 122nd season this Sunday with the first of four free concerts to take place at Salem High School.
The event will include a variety of both vocal and instrumental soloists offering a wide range of classical and popular selections, organizers said.
The season will begin on Sunday, Jan. 11, featuring Clarinetist Bill Kirkley, who has previously performed at Boston’s Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. Kirkley will perform the music of C. M. von Weber, John Williams, and Leroy Anderson.
On Sunday, Jan. 25, Marblehead pianist Eleena Gelfgatt will perform Chopin’s great “Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante”.
On Feb. 1, soprano Stephanie Pfundt will share some of her favorite pieces from Italian and French opera, including the music of Gounod, Puccini, and Verdi.
The final concert on Feb. 8 will bring young singers to the orchestra for the first time, as the combined choirs of Salem and Peabody high schools will sing “Gloria” by Vivaldi. The concert will also feature musicians from Salem Philharmonic’s youth orchestra, led by their concertmaster Alan Hawryluk.
At each concert this season, Salem Philharmonic Orchestra will offer selections honoring the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding.
The orchestra is Salem’s own 45-piece full symphony orchestra that has provided a series of free winter concerts to Salem area residents for more than 100 years. Consisting primarily of professional musicians drawn directly from the Salem community, the orchestra also invites students to play alongside its professionals.
Programming covers a wide range of musical genres, and every concert features one or more soloists, often young musicians who have never had the opportunity to work with an orchestra, or a talented professional whose abilities the Orchestra believes should be better known.
Each concert takes place on Sundays at 3 p.m. at Salem High School. All concerts are accessible, free, and open to families with children.
The concerts are supported by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Salem Inn, Salem Five Bank, and individuals and businesses throughout the Salem area.
For more information, visit salemphilharmonic.org.
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202