Fort Wayne Philharmonic Offers Free Ensemble Concerts

June 30, 2021
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Offers Free Ensemble Concerts
Throughout Northeast Indiana

Beginning on July 8 and continuing throughout the remainder of the summer, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic will offer a wide variety of free small ensemble, community, and engagement concerts across the region. Various string, brass, and woodwind ensembles will canvas much of Northeast Indiana performing concerts in care facilities through a partnership with Audiences Unlimited, in a new series called PNC Pop Ups at the James Cultural Plaza in Auburn, through Live at Lunch performances at Sweetwater, and in a new series called Coffee with the Phil in the Clubroom at the Clyde Theatre. All concerts are free and designed to fill the region with music as the Philharmonic reconnects with local audiences through its extended summer season.

“We are thrilled to be back,” said Managing Director James W. Palermo. “What better way is there to reintroduce our wonderful musicians to regional audiences than by blanketing all of Northeast Indiana with music?”

The Audiences Unlimited partnership will enable live music to be heard again through programs at the following care facilities:  Heritage Pointe, Life Adult Day Academy (LADA), Canterbury Nursing, Kingston Residence (south), Lutheran Life Villages at Pine Valley, Coventry Meadows, Heritage Park, Cedar Ridge Assisted Living, Ascension Health (Formerly Presence Sacred Heart Home), Lutheran Life Villages at Kendallville, Lutheran Life Villages at Anthony, Cedarhurst of Fort Wayne, Life Adult Day Academy (LADA,) University Park  Health and Rehab Center, and Golden Years Golden Years Independent Living and Assisted Living.

Coffee with the Phil is a brand-new collaboration with the Clubroom at the Clyde Theatre, scheduled for three Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. Purchase your own coffee and pastries at the Clubroom’s Crescendo Coffee & More on July 21, Aug. 3, and Aug. 11, then listen to free music provided courtesy of Philharmonic wind and brass groups.

New this summer is an expanded number of free concerts at the James Cultural Plaza in Auburn, sponsored by PNC. The PNC Pop-Up Series will feature various Philharmonic groups on four evenings beginning at 8:00 p.m.:  Thursday, July 8, Freimann Quartet and Wind Quintet; Friday, July 9, Calhoun Brass Quintet and Harrison String Quintet; Friday, Aug. 6, Wayne Street Strings; and Saturday, Aug.7, Central Winds.

Live at Lunch is Sweetwater’s live noontime concert series, with free performances in the spacious Crescendo Cafe. No ticket is required for admission. Tasty meals are available for purchase at the adjacent Downbeat Diner before the hour-long concerts which begin at 12 noon on the following dates:  Friday, July 23, Chamber Orchestra; Wednesday, Aug. 4, Wind Quintet; Wednesday, Aug. 11, Calhoun Brass Quintet; and Friday, Aug. 13, Freimann Quartet.

On Friday, Aug. 3 the Freimann Quartet will perform a special free noontime concert under the Rotunda at the Allen Country Courthouse. (Please remember: cell phones are not permitted on the premises.)

For a full list of concerts, events, and activities, visit fwphil.org.