For a city of its size, Salem is lucky to have several great ensembles performing classical and modern works for wind ensemble, orchestra, and chorale. Although none of the groups are professional, the level of playing and singing is high, and professional soloists often perform with these ensembles. If you want to hear a classical symphony, or perhaps a twentieth-century masterpiece, check the seasons of each of these groups. If you are interested in playing or singing with any of these groups, all are open to auditions or to non-auditioned participation (in the case of two of the choirs).
Salem Wind Ensembles
The Salem Symphonic Winds is a group of 50-60 musicians from the Salem area playing concert band repertoire. The band comprises woodwinds, brass, and percussion. They play a great variety of music, from world premieres like the event they did with the Rainbow Dance Theater, “The Princess and the Wind,” to a concert entitled “Spirit of Japan.”
Their upcoming concert, “Tales the Wind Remembers,” features works that pay tribute to Spain, from Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol to pieces that are inspired by Spanish literature and architecture. They perform at the South Salem High School auditorium. If you’re interested in joining the group, they have yearly auditions.
Orchestras in Salem
The Salem Philharmonia Orchestra performs five concerts a year, highlighting both familiar and lesser-known classical music. Some concerts feature pieces grouped by theme, with upcoming concerts focusing on organizing principles such as “The Sea” or “Pastoral Tapestries.” Others have performances of classic symphonic works that take up half of the concert, like Beethoven’s Eroica or Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique, paired with shorter works that complement them.
There is a pre-concert talk by the artistic director preceding each concert to help introduce the audience to the music they will hear that night. The Philharmonia also hosts an annual family concert featuring shorter pieces that typically highlight different instruments or instrument groups. Instead of a pre-concert talk, there is an “instrument petting zoo” where kids can get an up-close look at each instrument and how they sound. Those ages 17 and under are always free for all concerts, making this a great opportunity for young music students to see an adult ensemble perform some of the most beloved classical pieces. The ensemble welcomes auditions for new players yearly.
Salem Orchestra is a newer ensemble, founded in 2018. They perform an annual winter concert and a variety of other concerts throughout the year. One fun event that happens annually is their “Side-by-Side” concert in the spring, in which area students can apply to play with the symphony, playing side-by-side with the adults in the group. It’s an excellent opportunity for young musicians to play in a large, serious ensemble and experience some classic works. This year’s concert includes symphonies by Beethoven and Mozart, as well as a work by Respighi.
Students can also apply to the Salem Orchestra Music Academy, “where students enhance their skills and perform alongside professional musicians” during the summer. Students can also experience orchestral conducting by applying to the Jack Glantz Memorial Student Conducting Program. It’s rare for high school students to have the opportunity to learn conducting skills, which makes this program exciting. The other concerts Salem Orchestra has put on have been fundraisers for the group and a yearly concert featuring chamber ensembles composed of the orchestra’s members.
Choral Groups Around Marion County
The Willamette Master Chorus performs challenging and energizing choral music. They perform four concerts a year – a holiday concert, a Winter concert, a Spring concert, and a veterans’ concert. One upcoming concert will have the ensemble perform the Orff classic Carmina Burana and a Franz Schubert Mass at the Mount Angel Abbey. The performances are typically at the Rogers Music Center on the Willamette University Campus. The chorale often performs with an orchestra or smaller-group ensemble, as will be the case for their upcoming concerts. At the yearly Veterans Concert, entrance is free for veterans, Gold Star parents and spouses. If you’re looking for a way to experience the classics of choral music, the Willamette Master Chorus is a great choice.
Festival Chorale Oregon is a choral group open to all, without an audition. Their concerts are at the Elsinore Theater downtown Salem, and typically feature live orchestral accompaniment and often professional vocal soloists. The chorale has even toured Europe multiple times and performed at New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Closer to home, they perform a winter and spring concert of composers spanning the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries.
The Salem Community Chorus is open to everyone from middle school on up. Residents of Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties are welcome, and there is no audition process – you can just join! There are different times of year when new singers can join, and rehearsals are on Monday nights at 6 p.m. They sing a variety of different music, from classics to jazz. They perform in spring and winter at various churches around Salem, and sometimes at the Capitol Rotunda during the holidays. Concerts are free to the public.
In addition to these groups, colleges and high schools host wonderful concerts open to the public – just check the websites for any school’s music program. Salem is a great place to listen to music and get involved if you’re musically inclined.
