Providence Chamber Orchestra to perform 25th Anniversary Concert Nov. 24 in Phoenixville

PHOENIXVILLE — St. John's Lutheran Church, 355 St. John's Circle, presents The Providence Chamber Orchestra, its resident ensemble, in concert on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 4 p.m. The program features favorite selections in observance of the group's 25th anniversary.

The concert opens with the Overture to Mozart's opera "The Marriage of Figaro," conducted by Matthew Valent, one of the early conductors of the orchestra, and continues with Borodin's symphonic poem "In the Steppes of Central Asia," followed by Schubert's "Marche Militaire 1 & 2," Faure's delightful "Masques et Bergamasques" composed to accompany a theatrical work, and concluding with Richard Strauss Sr.'s rousing "Radetzky March" evoking themes of the annual New Year's Eve concert in Vienna.

The ensemble was founded in 1999 to meet the musical needs and aspirations of its members, a group of talented, amateur musicians from the greater Philadelphia area, all of whom share a common passion for playing music.

The group of volunteers rehearses twice monthly and presents annual winter and spring concerts in addition to accompanying the "St. John's Choir & Friends" performance of major choral repertoire.

Tom Snyder, director of music at St. John's, conducts the orchestra.

Orchestra president Janet Genaurdi said: "It was a Sunday in January 1999 and we were having one of the first rehearsals in our history. The room was surrounded by windows and it had started snowing gently outside so it felt very cozy. We were being led on that day by Porter Eidem, the conductor of the Pottstown Symphony Orchestra.

The piece we were working through was Schubert's Unfinished Symphony and it was going well. At the completion of the piece, Mr Eidem put down his baton and, looking at us said, 'You are creating something very special here.' In reflection, his comment was so affirming for all of us and it would have been difficult to dispute his comment. It felt very special. We are all so blessed to be a part of the Providence Chamber Orchestra on this day as we celebrate 25 years of making beautiful music together."

There is no admission charge but a freewill offering will be received to support ongoing orchestral performances in Phoenixville.