Issaquah orchestra offers casual holiday concert

Published 4:12 pm Sunday, November 22, 2015

Families, seniors and all who enjoy live classical music are welcome to attend the free Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra holiday concert Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

The 40-member orchestra will play selections from “The Nutcracker” by composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, a medley of well-known Christmas carols, the first movement from Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, called “Erocia,” and “Pohjola’s Daughter” by Jean Sibelius.

The concert will take place at the Issaquah Valley Elementary School, 555 N.W. Holly Street, in Issaquah.

There will be juice and cookies available during intermission and members of the orchestra will take the opportunity to talk with audience members.

The all-volunteer orchestra “is truly doing something no other group in our region is doing — breaking down barriers and giving people a chance to enjoy great classical music for free,” Sue Byron wrote in an email.

Byron, of Sammamish, is in her eighth season with the orchestra and plays in the second violin section.

“The Issaquah Philharmonic provides an opportunity for people in the community to experience and enjoy classical music in a safe, welcoming, friendly, and risk free environment,” she said. “So many people have stereotypical ideas of what it means to attend a classical music concert — that it is uncomfortable, snobbish and expensive.”

Casual attire is appropriate for attendees. All are welcome.

For more information on the group, visit www.iphil.org/.