Times Observer file photo The Warren Philharmonic will open its 2023-2024 season Sunday at 4 p.m. with a concert to be held at St. Joseph Parish. Student musicians - which typically perform with the orchestra downtown each summer, shown here - will be participating in Sunday’s concert.

The Warren Philharmonic is set to kick off its 2023-2023 season this Sunday.

The orchestra will present “A Pastorale Thanksgiving” on Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish in Warren.

“This performance features many selections that reflect on weather scenes after and during storms,” Philharmonic President Brenda Schnick said.

The concert, led by music director and conductor Bryan Eckenrode, will feature Bizet’s “L’Arlesienne Suite #2,” the final movement of Beethoven’s Sixth Symphony, “Into the Storm” by Robert W. Smith, “Down a Country Lane” by Aaron Copeland, “Intermezzo” from Cavalleria Rusticana, and seasonal selections including “Tannenbaum Fantasia”, “A Mad Russian’s Christmas” and “Sleigh Ride.”

“The last movement of Beethoven’s 6th Symphony literally translates from German to: ‘Shepherd’s song. Happy and thankful feelings after the Storm,'” Schnick explained. “In contrast, our other selection – “Into the Storm” – reflects the storm itself.

“We are also doing several holiday themed selections to help get everyone in the mood for Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

Schnick said one of the Philharmonic’s principal flutists – Becky Darbee – will be featured in the Bizet selection.

“Becky has been playing with the orchestra since 1997,” she said. “Another interesting thing about this particular movement is that the flute interacts in solo with three other instruments: oboe, clarinet and saxophone. The ‘L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2’ is one of the first pieces to write a saxophone part into the orchestra.”

This performance will also include some special performers – string students from Warren, Erie and Jamestown.

“The orchestra is very excited to offer the students the opportunity to learn and play with us,” Schnick said.

Students from the Warren County Summer Music School join the Phil for its annual outdoor concert but this marks the first time students have been involved in the orchestra’s regular concert season.

“We feel this partnership is a good way to continue to foster music education and growth in the community,” Schnick said.

Sunday’s performance also marks a change in venue for the Philharmonic.

“This is the first time that the orchestra will be performing in the beautiful church and we are very much looking forward to it,” she added.

Sunday’s concert is the first of three performances that comprise the Philharmonic’s 2023-2024 season. Future concerns include March 17 at Holy Redeemer Church featuring a slate of music that focuses on railroads and trains as well as May 12 at First Lutheran Church where pianist Amber Shay Nicholson will present a piano concerto.

“We are very excited about our season and upcoming performances,” Schnick said. “The orchestra continues to add new members from the surrounding community and we should have as many as 60 people performing at the upcoming event on November 19.”

Tickets are on sale the day of the concert starting at 3:15 p.m. and are $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. Children 11 and under are free.

For those that can’t attend, the performance will be livestreamed on YouTube on the Warren Philharmonic’s channel and can also be accessed via the “Warren Philharmonic of Warren PA” Facebook page.