CLASSICAL MUSIC: PHILADELPHIA METROPOLITAN AREA ORGANIZATIONS

(PA NJ & DE)

You are welcome to submit news and information of upcoming concerts, performers and recordings of interest.  Questions are also welcome. Send to: rgreene@temple.edu or to P.O. Box 623; Ardmore, PA 19003

 

General information

·        Black Classical Musicians and Concerts in Philadelphia, see Details →

·        Philadelphia Chamber Music Society 2010-11 season

·        Consolidated Philadelphia area Classical Music Calendar  →  Add your concert dates.

Instrumental performance organizations and groups

Vocal performance organizations and groups

Presenters and institution sponsors

Broadcasts

Local information media, calendars, guides, recordings


 

 INSTRUMENTAL

 

 

Areas and Organizations

Level

Description and concert information

Delaware

New Jersey

Pennsylvania

Bucks county    Chester county    Delaware county    Montgomery county    Philadelphia county

Allentown area    Harrisburg/Lancaster area

 

    Delaware

Brandywine Baroque
302 594-4544
www.brandywinebaroque.org

 

Chamber - large

Delaware Symphony Orchestra
302-656-7442 / 1800-374-7263 or
www.delawaresymphony.org

Professional

Orchestra 

    New Jersey

Bay-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra
856-451-1169 or
www.bayatlanticsymphony.org/

Professional

Orchestra  Full season at several South Jersey venues, plus early-summer Cape May Music Festival with major soloists.

Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra
609 790-9559 / 732 792-2070 or
www.bravuraphil.org/

Professional/ Community/ Student

Award winning orchestra performing 4+ concert programs a year.  Annual Young Artists Concerto Competition in February.  Members of orchestra also present  various chamber concerts.

Garden State Philharmonic
732-451-0064 or
www.gardenstatephilharmonic.com/

Professional

Orchestra 

Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra
609-394-1338 or

www.trentonsymphony.org/

Professional

Orchestra  Presents a series of subscription concerts at the War Memorial Auditorium and other locations in Trenton.

Haddonfield Symphony
Renamed.  See Symphony in C below.

 

Orchestra 

Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey
856-779-2600 or
www.psnj.org/

Community

Orchestra  Three smart theme programs a season at Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees.

Princeton Pro Musica
609 683-5122 or
www.princetonpromusica.org/

Professional

Orchestra and chorus

Princeton Symphony Orchestra
609-497-0020 or
www.princetonsymphony.org/

Professional

Orchestra  Five classical concerts at Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, plus seven chamber concerts at 1860 House in Skillman, N.J.

Riverside Symphonia
609-397-7300 or
www.riversidesymphonia.org/

Professional

Orchestra  Eight programs a season at the Church of St. John the Evangelist and First Presbyterian Church in Lambertville, under Mariusz Smolij.

Rowan University Chamber & Community Orchestra
www.rowan.edu/mars/clubs/orch

Student/ community

Orchestra  Extensive concert schedule in Glassboro under Salvatore Scarpa.

Symphony in C (formerly Haddonfield Symphony)
856 429-1880 or
www.symphonyinc.org

Paid student

Orchestra  Philadelphia Orchestra assistant conductor Rossen Milanov conducts handpicked conservatory student.

Westminster Community Orchestra
609-921-7104 or
www.rider.edu/887_3939.htm

Community/
audition

Orchestra  Four to six concerts in the Princeton area.  Affiliated with Rider University

    Pennsylvania

     Bucks County 

Bucks County Symphony Orchestra
215-348-7321 or
www.buckscountysymphony.org/

Community

Orchestra  Five concerts under Gary Fagin, mostly at Central Bucks East High School.

Delaware Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
215-943-9320 or
www.dvpo.org/

Professional

Orchestra  50th season at venues around the county, including Christian Life Center in Bensalem, under Michael Pratt.

Musica 2000
215-598-6162

Semi
professional

Formed in 2000. Rosalind Erwin conducts adventurous programs, five per season in Doylestown area.

Newtown Chamber Orchestra
215-968-2005 or
www.newtownchamberorchestra.org

Professional

Orchestra  Performs at Bucks County Community College and Lutheran Church of God’s Love.

Warminster Symphony Orchestra
www.warmsymphony.org/

Community

Orchestra  Three to four concerts at William Tennent High School, conducted by Joseph Lovecchio.

Youth Orchestra of Bucks County
215 589-8668
www.yobc.org/

Youth

Orchestra  Provides talented young musicians in the northern suburban areas of Philadelphia with an advanced musical experience to augment their school music programs.

     Chester County

Immaculata Symphony
immaculatasymphony.org/

Student/ community

Orchestra  Five concerts at Immaculata University in East Whiteland Township, under Roman Pawlowski.

Kennett Symphony of Chester County
610-444-6363 or
http://www.kennettsymphony.org/

Professional

Orchestra  Five concerts, two during the summer, at Kennett High School, Philips Memorial Hall in West Chester, and Longwood Gardens.

Main Line Symphony
610-688-0235 or
www.mlso.org/

Community-plus

Orchestra  Conducted by Philadelphia Orchestra bassist Henry Scott, at Valley Forge Intermediate School in Wayne.

Pottstown Symphony Orchestra
610-326-8742 or
www.pottstownsymphony.org/

Professional

Orchestra 

West Chester University Symphony Orchestra

Student

Orchestra   

     Delaware County 

Delaware County Symphony
610-356-5673 or
www.dcsmusic.org/

Community

Orchestra  Roman Pawlowski conducts. Presents four symphonic concerts and four chamber concerts at Neumann College in Aston.

Delaware County Youth Orchestra
www.dcyo.org/

Youth

Orchestra  Selective ensemble of nearly 100 talented young musicians through senior year of high school.  Presents four concerts a year 

Lansdowne Symphony Orchestra
610-284-3719 or
www.lansdowneso.org/

Mostly Community

Orchestra  Six concerts under former Philadelphia Orchestra violinist Irving Ludwig, at Upper Darby High School.

     Montgomery County 

Abington Symphony Orchestra
215-887-4530 or
www.apcusa.org/MusicAtAbington

Community

Orchestra  Performs at Abington Presbyterian Church under John Sall.

Ambler Symphony Orchestra
Contact by mail at
Box 221; Ambler, Pa. 19002 or
www.amblersymphony.org/

Community/ professional

Orchestra  Seven programs a season under Jack Moore, mostly at Wissahickon High School.

Audubon Symphony Orchestra
www.audubonsymphony.org/

Community

Orchestra  Founded in 1991 by the Audubon YMCA, now sponsored by Montgomery County Cultural Center, in downtown Norristown.

Bryn Athyn Orchestra
215-345-4489 or

www.baorchestra.org

Community

Orchestra 

Bux-Mont Chamber Orchestra
www.buxmontchamberorch.org/

Professional

Orchestra  Performances are presented, at low cost, to audiences in Bucks and Montgomery counties. The repertoire ranges from small chamber to full orchestral works.
 

Lower Merion Symphony
610-527-0200 or
www.lowermerionsymphony.org/

Community

Orchestra  Three programs at Rosemont College under Elliott Levioff.

Old York Road Symphony
215-591-9594 or
http://home.comcast.net/~h.baxter1/History.html

Community

Orchestra  Five concerts in its 71st season at Abington Junior High School.

Philadelphia Trio
610 664-0346
philtrio@aol.com

Professional

Chamber

Olney Symphony Orchestra
215-342-9996

Community

Orchestra  Performs three-concert season under Jack Moore at Berachah Church in Cheltenham.

Pottstown Symphony Orchestra
610-326-8742 or
www.pottstownsymphony.org/

Professional

Orchestra  Solid standard repertoire at The Hill Center for the Arts in Pottstown.

North Penn Symphony Orchestra
215-361-3099 or
www.northpennsymphony.org/

Professional

Orchestra

     Philadelphia County 

1807 & Friends
http://astro.temple.edu/~rgreene/1807

Professional

Chamber music series in a highly appealing and intimate concert setting - Monday evening series at the Academy of Vocal Arts auditorium (AVA).

Ama Deus Ensemble
www.voxamadeus.org

Professional

Chamber music series.

American Society of Ancient Instruments
610 935-4579
www.baroque-asai.org
 

Professional

 

Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra
215 717-7103
www.blackpearlco.org

Professional

One of few professional orchestras in the region and elsewhere to champion racial and ethnic diversity in classical music.  Mission is achieved by presenting concerts and community programs of the highest music and artistic standards as performed by ethnically diverse professional musicians. Founded by Jeri Lynne Johnson.

Chamber Music NOW!
www.chambermusicnow.org

Professional

Chamber music series.

Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia
www.chamberorchestra.org

Professional

Orchestra 

Chestnut Hill Community Orchestra
215-242-5227 or
http://home.covad.net/~jmitteld/CHCO/

Community

Orchestra  Performs in numerous venues in and around Philadelphia, and plans a performance of “La Traviata” this season.

Curtis Institute Symphony Orchestra
http://www.curtis.edu/

Conservatory

Orchestra  An ensemble that is the equivalent of high-level professional orchestras.  Additional music performance series include Alumni Recitals, Student Recitals and the Opera Theater.  Weekly student recitals are free and open to the public.  See calendar.

Dali String Quartet
215 774-9303

Professional

Chamber.  Features music of Latin American repertoire.

Davidsbund Chamber Players

Professional

Chamber

Elixir String Quartet
215 923-5224

Professional

Chamber

Excelsior Trio
267 243-3841

Professional

Chamber

Fairmount Brass Quartet
215 969-6714

Professional

Chamber and education

Fairmount Strings and Chamber Ensemble
215 402-0267
www.fairmountstrings.com/

Professional

Chamber/orchestra

Mozart Society of Philadelphia

Professional

Orchestra - chamber  Free concert series of music by Mozart and Haydn   Status: unknown

Musicopia String Orchestra
215 829-9522
www.musicopia.net

Youth/
Community

In existence since 2005. Serves students throughout the greater Philadelphia area who lack cultural opportunities. Musicopia works closely with school districts and community partners to create an inclusive ensemble - a welcoming home to students whose skill levels on string instruments range widely.

Network for New Music
www.networkfornewmusic.org

Professional

Chamber  Offers world premieres in intimate settings, where you can meet the composers, talk to the musicians, and experience the unexpected.

Olney Symphony Orchestra
215 248-1010
http://mysite.verizon.net/mitteldorf/Olney/

Community

Orchestra 2001
215 922-2190
www.orchestra2001.org

Professional

This organization is dedicated to premiering, performing, and promoting the music of 20th and 21st century composers - many of whom are well established and well known.  Performances complement more well-known classical masterpieces.

Orchestra Society of Philadelphia
www.orchestrasociety.org

Community

Orchestra  Major symphonies rehearsed on a near-weekly basis with guest conductors and soloists - at the Community College of Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Brass
973 885-6019
www.philadelphiabrass.com

Professional

Chamber and education.

Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble
215 542-4890
http://pce.libertynet.org

Professional

Chamber

Philadelphia Chamber Music Society
215 569-8080 or
www.pcmsconcerts.org

Professional

Chamber  This outstanding chamber music concert series is unparalleled.  It features well-established and upcoming chamber music performers at an unmatched, affordable ticket price.  More than 60 concerts.  See calendar.

Philadelphia Classical Symphony
610 684-8481
www.classicalsymphony.org

Professional

Orchestra 

Philadelphia Doctors Chamber Orchestra
www.doctorsorchestra.com
 

Community

Musician membership is comprised largely, but not exclusively, of medical professionals. The orchestra reflects many diverse backgrounds, all brought together by a love of music.   It was founded and is conducted by Dr. Fawzi Habboushe, a general and thoracic surgeon.

Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society
215 567-2972
www.phillyguitar.com
 

Professional/
community

Ensemble

Philadelphia Orchestra
215 893-1999 or
www.philorch.org

Professional

Orchestra  Philadelphia's premiere, world-class orchestra.  Performs at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Philadelphia Sinfonia
215 351-0363
www.philadelphiasinfonia.com

Youth

Orchestra 

Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
866 403-6844 or
www.philadelphiavirtuosi.com/

Professional

Orchestra  Founded by Daniel Spalding in 1991; adventurous programs in and around Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
215.545-0502 or
www.pyos.org/

Youth

Orchestra  Provides opportunity for gifted and talented student to be involved in orchestral training and performance program.  Student recruited from the greater Philadelphia region.

Philomel Baroque Orchestra
www.smsmusic.org

Professional

Chamber large  Philadelphia’s foremost baroque orchestra performs concerts of early music. Members also perform in smaller baroque ensembles.  See concert series.

Piffaro, Renaissance Band
215 235-8469 or
www.piffaro.com/

Professional

Seven member ensemble performs music from the 15th and 16th centuries on a wide variety of period instruments..

PRISM Quartet
215 438-5282
www.prismquartet.com

Professional

Chamber

Relâche
215 574 8248 or
www.relache.org

Professional

 

Roxborough Orchestra

215 487-3008

roxmusica@gmail.com

Community

 

Settlement Music School
www.smsmusic.org

Youth/
community

Orchestra/chamber/recital 

Temple University Symphony Orchestra
www.temple.edu/boyer

University music student

Orchestra  Within Temple's Boyer College of Music, this ensemble performs throughout the broader Philadelphia region.  In addition, many solo and small ensemble faculty, student and guest recitals are given throughout the year.  See concert calendar.

Tempesta di Mare
www.tempestadimare.org

Professional

 

University of Pennsylvania Symphony
www.sas.upenn.edu/music/performance/

Student/staff/
community

Orchestra  Founded in 1878, this is among the oldest campus music organizations. Repertoire is drawn from the classical period through the twentieth century. Four annual performances occur in Penn's historic, newly renovated Irvine Auditorium.

     Allentown area

Allentown Symphony Orchestra
610-432-6715 or
www.allentownsymphony.org/

Professional

Orchestra  Excellent orchestra, interesting programs and major soloists, in restored Symphony Hall.

Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra
610-266-8555 or
www.lvco.org/

Professional

Orchestra  Programs range from violinist Joshua Bell to Philadelphia composer Andrea Clearfield, at Muhlenberg College.

     Harrisburg area 

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
www.harrisburgsymphony.org/

Professional

Orchestra 

Lancaster County Youth Symphony
717 859-2268 or
www.lcyso.org/

Youth

Orchestra  Offers the serious junior-senior high school musician a worthy musical outlet, and provides an opportunity to perform literature they might not have access to within their school ensembles.

 

VOCAL

 

 

Areas and Organizations

Level

Venue and concert information

    • Delaware

Opera Delaware
302 658-8063

Professional

Opera

    • New Jersey

Greater South Jersey Chorus
856 482-8282

 

Chorus

Princeton Pro Musica
609 683-5122 or
www.princetonpromusica.org/

Professional

Chorus and orchestra

    • Pennsylvania

Academy of Vocal Arts - AVA
215 735-1685
www.avaopera.com

Conservatory

Opera/chorus/recital

Amici Opera Company
215 224-0257

 

Opera

Bach Festival of Philadelphia
215 247-2234
www.bach-fest.org

 

Chorus

Bucks County Choral Society
215 598-6142
www.buckschoral.org

 

Chorus

Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia
215 240-6417
www.choralarts.com

 

Chorus

Crossing Choir
www.crossingchoir.com

Professional

Chorus

Delaware Valley Opera
215 725-4171
www.dvopera.org

 

Opera

Mendelssohn Club
215 735-9922
www.mcchorus.org

Community

Chorus

Music Group of Philadelphia
215 587-0291
www.mgphila.org

 

 

Opera Company of Philadelphia

 

Opera

Opera North
www.operanorth.com

Professional

Vocal/opera/recital  Presents opera productions and educational programs throughout Philadelphia region.

Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale
215 222-3500
www.phillyboyschoir.org

 

Chorus

Philadelphia Chamber Chorus
www.philachamberchorus.org

 

Chorus

Philadelphia Singers
215 751-9494
www.philadelphiasingers.org

Professional

Chorus

Savoy Company
215 735-7161
www.savoy.org

 

Chorus

Singing City
215 569-9067
www.singingcity.org

Community

Chorus

Voces Novae et Antiquae
215 842-9687
www.vocesnovaeantiquae.org

 

Chorus

Vox Ama Deus
610 688-2800
www.voxamadeus.org

Professional

Chorus  Renaissance vocal music

 

PRESENTERS and SPONSORS

 

 

Organization Name

Level

Description and information

Astral Artistic Services

 

Chamber/recital

Boyer College of Music, Temple University
www.temple.edu/boyer

University

Orchestra/chamber/recital

Curtis Institute of Music

Conservatory

Orchestra/chamber/recital

Delaware Chamber Music Festival
302 455-0246
www.dcmf.org

 

Chamber music series and education

Dolce Suano Chamber Music Concert Series
www.dolcesuano.com

 

Chamber

German Society of PA Concert Series
215 627-2332
www.germansociety.org

 

Chamber/recital

Haverford College Guest Artist Series
610 896-1011

 

Chamber/recital

Kimmel Center Presents
215 893-1999

 

Classical music offerings include: Great Orchestras on Tour Series; Master Musicians Series (recitals/chamber music); Organ Recital Series; and the Fresh Ink Series.

Mann Music Center for the Performing Arts
215 893-1999
www.manncenter.org

 

Orchestra.  Summer home for the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Market Square Concerts
www.marketsquareconcerts.org

 

Chamber music series

Philadelphia Chamber Music Society (PCMS)
215 569-8080 or
www.pcmsconcerts.org

 

The PCMS season consists of more than 65 outstanding concerts and recitals: featuring leading chamber music artists. All performances can be heard for $23 per ticket or less. A resident company of the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater, PCMS performs at intimate, local music performance venues. It also collaborates with prominent cultural institutions by presenting 50 education programs geared to our children and youth.

Princeton University Concerts
609 258-4239
 

 

Concert series with chamber music ensembles and and internationally acclaimed recitalists.

Philadelphia Viola Society
215 627-7622 or
philadelphiaviola@earthlink.net

Membership

Presenting and membership organization.  Devoted to the viola and interested individuals.

Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts
856  225-2700 or
www.rutgerscamdenarts.org

 

Orchestra/vocal

Settlement Music School
www.smsmusic.org

School

Chamber/recital

Temple University
see Boyer College of Music - above

 

 

Tri-County Concerts Association
www.tricountyconcerts.org

 

Chamber/recital.  For over sixty years the Association has served the Chester, Delaware and Montgomery county communities by fostering the performance and appreciation of the highest quality solo and ensemble chamber music.  

 

BROADCASTS

 

 

Radio and Online

 

Description and information

WHYY
90.9 FM or
www.whyy.org/91FM

 

FM station with only limited classical music programming.  A separate HD channel is devoted to arts, culture and classical music.  Webcasts programming via the internet.

WRTI
90.1 FM or
www.wrti.org

 

FM station devoted to classical music and to jazz.  Serves the tri-state PA, NJ, DE region.  Webcasts programming via the internet.  Licensed to Temple University in Philadelphia.

WWFM
89.1 FM (limited signal strength) or
www.wwfm.org (online webcast)

 

Twenty-four hour classical music FM and HD station serving New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and portions of Delaware and Maryland.  Online webcast programming via the internet.  Licensed to Mercer County Community College, NJ.

WQXR
www.wqxr.org (online webcast) or

105.9 FM (New York City metro region)

Twenty-four hour classical music FM and HD station. Online webcast programming via the internet. Broadcast serves New York / New Jersey / Connecticut metro region, and portions of eastern Pennsylvania. Licensed to WNYC.

  LOCAL INFORMATION

 

 

Organization

 

Description and information

     Media

Broad Street Review
www.broadstreetreview.com/
 

 

An online arts and culture commentary website edited by Dan Rottenberg, where arts connoisseurs can share and exchange viewpoints about the cultural scene in Philadelphia and beyond.  Focuses on such fields as theater, classical music, new music, art, dance and opera.

Philadelphia Inquirer

www.philly.com

 

Daily newspaper available print and/or digital format. Arts organizations listed and promoted especially Friday (weekend) and Sunday.

Philadelphia Music Makers
www.phillymusicmakers.org

 

Published magazine.  A quarterly of, by, and about Philadelphia area music groups, composers and musicians.  Subscription.

     Music Calendars and Event Listings

Avenue of the Arts
www.avenueofthearts.org/Calendar

 

Event and calendar listing.

Center City District - Going Out Guide
www.centercityphila.org/goingout/

 

Selected event listing.  Also links to PhillyFunGuide

GoPhila
www.gophila.com/Phila/EventsCalendar/

 

Online calendar.  Also links to PhillyFunGuide

InstantEncore

www.instantencore.com

Online calendar.

Classical concert guide and comprehensive listing with complete mobile access to all information, ticketing, and venue directions. Customizable features and reminders

Jersey Arts
www.jerseyarts.com

 

Online guide to arts and culture in New Jersey.  A component of the Discover Jersey Arts initiative - a project designed to increase awareness of and participation in the arts.  Search for Philadelphia metro area music events in Jersey.

Local Arts Live
www.LocalArtsLive.com

 

A site intended to strengthen the community of classical music fans in the Philadelphia region. To serve as a resource to discuss regional events, performing and presenting organizations. This is a prototype site that will evolve to match member needs. Founded by Sharon Torello.

Philadelphia Classical Music Calendar
www.classicalmusicphiladelphia.com

 

Online classical music calendar.  Established by David Cohen.  Free listing.

Philadelphia Magazine Arts and Events
www.phillymag.com/arts_entertainment

 

Online searchable event listing. 

PhillyFunGuide
phillyfunguide.com

 

Online calendar.  Offers a comprehensive guide to local area cultural offerings - including classical music.  Organizations can submit event information.  Free listing.

WHYY Arts and Culture
www.whyy.org/artsandculture

 

Online performing organization and calendar listing.  Organizations can submit information.  Free listing.

     Recordings: CD, DVD, SACD

ArkivMusic
www.arkivmusic.com
 

 

Specializes in an extraordinary online selection and the efficient delivery of CD, DVD, and SACD classical audio titles direct to the consumer.

HB Direct
www.hbdirect.com

 

Comprehensive selection and full service audio titles.

Princeton Record Exchange
609 921-0881
www.prex.com/music/classical.html

 

One of the largest independent music stores handling new and used CD, DVD and LP vinyl classical recordings.

Compiled by R. Greene   rgreene@temple.edu

 

Updated: July 2011

Return to the home page