The Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble has made the welcomed decision to move one of its two performances of each concert program for its 2025-26 season to Friday evenings at The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill. The ensemble will headline concerts on Sept. 19, March 6 and June 5.

For many years, the ensemble has performed matinee and evening concerts at Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church in Society Hill. With the change, evening shows will now be performed in Chestnut Hill.

The ensemble was founded five decades ago by Philadelphia Orchestra member Donald Montanaro, a clarinetist, and his wife, Margarita Montanaro, who plays the harp. The group’s current music director, cellist John Koen, is also a longtime member of the orchestra.

Koen explained that the evening performances will be hosted by Dan Spratlan, the Chestnut Hill congregation’s music director who leads the church’s “Cantatas and Chamber Music” series. Chestnut Hill performances will be at 7 p.m.

“Our unique approach to programming utilizes diverse combinations of instruments in both standard and more diverse repertoire, from the Baroque to the contemporary periods, assembled in programs that delight the ear and stir the imagination,” Koen said. “We have also been exploring an expansion of the canon by identifying and presenting enjoyable and interesting works by underrepresented composers.”

The Sept. 19 program features Bohuslav Martinu’s Three Madrigals for Violin and Viola, Beethoven’s Serenade in D major, opus 25, for Flute, Violin and Viola, Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Quartet for Oboe, Violin, Viola and Cello, and Bedrich Smetana’s String Quartet No. 1 in E minor, Opus 116.

The program for the March 6, 2026, concert features Heitor Villa-Lobos’ “Jet Whistle” for Flute and Cello, Jessie Montgomery’s Duo for Violin and Cello, and Claude Debussy’s Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp.

The June 5th concert includes music by Carl Nielsen, Franz Schubert, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Albert Roussel, and Richard Strauss. For more information, visit pceconcerts.org.

Lyric Fest

The 2025-26 season of Lyric Fest will offer four concerts that span the repertoire for voice and instrumental accompaniment. The season is entitled “Biography in Music: Celebrating the Power of One” and is described as “the story of remarkable individuals whose lives changed the course of human events, whose lives helped define an era, elevate an art form, birth a nation.”

Lyric Fest is the brainchild of Chestnut Hill pianist Laura Ward and Flourtown mezzo-soprano Suzanne DuPlantis.

The season opens with “Winneratta Singer,” a performance that highlights the life of the sewing machine heiress and arts benefactor. Two performances are scheduled: Saturday, Oct. 4, at 3 p.m. in Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, and Sunday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m. in the Academy of Vocal Arts, in Center City.

“Fascinating Rhythm” focuses on the music of George Gershwin – as he played it. The concerts will be Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. in Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. in the American Philosophical Society’s Benjamin Franklin Hall in Old City.

“Dream Keeper” features the life, letters and lyrics of Langston Hughes. It’s set for Saturday, March 11, at 3 p.m. in the Philadelphia Race Street Meeting House, and Sunday, March 15, at 3 p.m. in the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral Church of the Savior in West Philadelphia.

The season comes to a close Friday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. with “Benjamin Franklin: Printer” at the American Philosophical Society.

For more information email info@lyricfest.org or call 609-248-6480

You can contact NOTEWORTY at Michael-caruso@comcast.net.