Salem State Sets 2 Free August Concerts Open To Public

SALEM, MA — Salem State University will offer two free concerts to the community in August, with the Salem Community Band scheduled to perform on Monday and the Summer Orchestra set to play Aug. 16 on the university's Harrington Campus in Salem.

The first concert is set for 7 p.m. on Monday on the Marsh Quad at the Harrington Campus, 71 Loring Avenue. The performance will feature the Salem Community Band under the direction of Cynthia Napierkowski.

The university said Essex County District Attorney and Salem resident Paul Tucker will provide narration for one piece in recognition of the nation's 250th and Salem's 400th anniversaries.

Concert-goers are asked to bring chairs and blankets for lawn seating, and picnics are encouraged. In the event of inclement weather, the Aug. 3 concert will move indoors to the café space in the Harrington Campus Classroom Building, which the university said is located in front of Marsh Hall.

The second performance is scheduled for Aug. 16, when Salem State’s Summer Orchestra will present its annual concert in the Classroom Building's Recital Hall. The orchestra is directed by Salem State music and dance professor Mary-Jo Grenfell and is now in its 11th season.

"The Summer Orchestra at Salem State University is a community orchestra comprised of intermediate and advanced musicians," said Karen Gahagan, director of Salem State's Center for Creative and Performing Arts. "It provides an enriching opportunity for musicians to read, rehearse, and perform music from the symphonic and chamber repertoire."

Free parking will be available for both concerts in the Harrington Campus lot next to the Enterprise Center, which is next to Marsh Hall, or across from the Classroom Building on Loring Avenue, behind the Salem Diner.