Salem, NH – February 2026 — Please note, program change. We had to cancel Carmina for Feb 2026.
We will replace programming with;
The Many Shades of Love
Feb 21 | 22 @ 2pm
Celebrate Valentine’s with the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra as we present two afternoons devoted to the great Romantic masterpieces that have captured hearts for generations. Take your special one or the entire family to a fantastic dinner after the show and start a tradition you won’t forget.
Love reveals itself in countless forms—joyful and playful, tender and noble, rejected, betrayed, and tragically lost. Opera and orchestral music, perhaps more than any other art forms, capture these emotional extremes with honesty and dramatic power. The Many Shades of Love explores love’s many faces through a thoughtfully curated program that unfolds over two distinct halves. Aliyah Howard joins us narrating several poems throughout the concert.
The first half of the concert features acclaimed bass-baritone Mark-Andrew Cleveland in a powerful showcase of opera’s most compelling arias and scenes. Through music by Mozart, Ponchielli, Puccini, and Verdi, Cleveland brings to life characters shaped by desire, regret, humor, authority, and heartbreak. From the sly wit and irony of The Marriage of Figaro and the intimate seduction of Don Giovanni, to the dark grandeur of La Gioconda and the poignant farewell of Puccini’s La Bohème, these works reveal love at its most human and conflicted. Selections from Verdi’s Don Carlo, Simon Boccanegra, and Ernani further deepen the emotional journey, confronting themes of betrayal, power, and profound personal loss.
The second half is devoted to orchestral storytelling, culminating in selections from Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. Inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, Prokofiev’s music vividly portrays young love, fate, conflict, and loss through some of the most expressive and emotionally charged orchestral writing of the 20th century. These sweeping excerpts set the emotional stage, immersing audiences in love’s urgency and vulnerability without a single word sung.
Together, the music on this program traces love not as a single emotion, but as a rich and complex human experience—expressed through both the orchestra’s sweeping voice and the operatic power of the human spirit.
Mark-Andrew Cleveland, bass-baritone, is an accomplished New England–based singer widely respected for his work in oratorio, sacred music, and concert repertoire. He has appeared as a soloist with leading ensembles including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Baroque, Boston Cecilia, Musica Sacra, and Masterworks Chorale, and has performed at festivals and concert series throughout the region and internationally.
His performances are noted for their depth, clarity, and stylistic range.
A graduate of Westminster Choir College (magna cum laude), Cleveland is also a dedicated music educator and church musician. He serves as Director of Music at Grace Episcopal Church in Manchester, New Hampshire, and teaches voice at several respected institutions in the region. A frequent collaborator with orchestras and choruses across New England, Cleveland brings extensive experience and musical insight to his appearance with the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra.
Join us as the NH Phil brings these beloved works to life on stage—an unforgettable celebration of love, artistry, and the enduring power of great music.
The NH Philharmonic is pleased to introduce Taige Wang! Guest soloist for our February 2025 concert.
14-year-old Taige Wang is a rising star in the world of classical music, celebrated for his virtuosic piano playing and dynamic artistry. Described by ClevelandClassical.com as “strong, virtuosic, and appropriately mischievous,” and by New York Concert Review for his “mercurial mood changes, extreme dynamics, and elements of atonality,” Taige’s musicality is both powerful and captivating.
A Young Steinway Artist and a scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation, Taige studies at The Juilliard School with Yoheved Kaplinsky. He began his musical journey at the age of four and gave his first public performance soon after. By five, he appeared on China Central Television and won his first competition at the regional Steinway & Sons Competition. At just seven, he was invited to give a full solo recital by Steinway & Sons.
Taige has since earned numerous accolades in prestigious competitions, including the YAMAHA Piano E Competition, Los Angeles International Liszt Competition, Chicago International Music Competition, and the Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Piano Competition. In 2023, Taige became the youngest-ever quarterfinalist at The Cliburn Junior Competition, and was also one of three finalists at the Thomas and Evon Cooper International Piano Competition, where he performed with The Cleveland Orchestra.
In addition to his impressive piano achievements, Taige will showcase his extraordinary virtuosity in Sergei Rachmaninov’s Variations on a Theme by Paganini with the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra. His performance of Paganini’s famous theme, highlighted by a captivating sequence of variations, will range from delicate and haunting to brilliantly complex, further demonstrating his exceptional technical prowess.
Taige’s performances have graced some of the world’s most renowned stages, including Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, Lincoln Center, Severance Hall, Nixon Presidential Library Museum, Royal Palace of Godollo in Hungary, and Henan Grand Theater in China. He also appeared on NPR’s From the Top in 2021 and participated in its 2022 Gala, where he was selected as one of three nationally-recognized young musicians.
As a composer, Taige studies under Bruce Adolphe and has already earned recognition for his work. His piano trio Chopin vs Chopin 2.0 was commissioned by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and debuted at Alice Tully Hall in April 2023.
A dedicated young philanthropist, Taige received the American President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award in 2022 for his community service efforts. With his exceptional talents and unyielding dedication, Taige Wang is undeniably one to watch in the world of classical music.
December 2024
Poems for the NH Phil
Holiday Pops
Written by Jack Cody
Every year, since the last century, a person or child sees in need.
You’d like and want to buy that as a Christmas present, indeed.
Most people on holidays are out shopping and screaming to get,
but there are more important things on special days yet.
Old traditional holiday music and songs can never fade away at all, whether any favorites you do or don’t wish to recall.
They would still help you to take your mind off the holiday rush, and our special music gives you a good-feel brush.
Holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza involve presents for good recognition. You make and give your families and friends any talented gifts as a true tradition.
Fred Astaire in one Christmas special reminds us for a better cause. Wouldn’t we all want to be Santa Claus?
We give gifts to needy people, who can’t afford.
When one kind thank you comes to one, generosity is our word.
Celebrations with loving people and giving gifts in a thankful amen, there on earth peace, good will toward all men.
Holiday orchestral music brightens us at any concert hall.
From us to you, happy holidays to one and all!
October 2024
Poems for the NH Phil
Rhapsody in Blue
Written by Jack Cody
Good ol’ Manhattan still stands in the roaring twenties, a city full of blast! Along with radio shows, or gangster violence, it’s the birth decade of swingin’ jazz.
Ira’s got music, but George can ask for anything more.
The Gershwin brothers represents Americanism and Orchestral jazz you can explore.
Combined with a wah-wah trumpet, clarinet, saxophone or a trombone. And George as a pianist mainly composes a few piano solos alone.
A clarinet first narrates the beginning, then the piano tells the rest. Envision your New York time as one of the best.
Since 1920s, right after ragtime from Scott Joplin,
American and worldwide audiences have desired mixed music joining in. Notable pianists in past and current years
Have played Gershwin favorites in their ears.
So now, we take you to New York City’s orchestral jazz without further ado. Ladies and Gentlemen, 100 years ago and now, Rhapsody in Blue.
Composer – Peter Boyer
Piano Soloist - Jeffrey Biegel
Saturday, October 26th at 7:30pm
Sunday, October 27th at 2pm
Live streaming available for Sunday concerts.
We are now celebrating the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”. This remains one of the most popular pieces of music composed in the 20th century, a crossover piece combining elements of jazz along with classical music forms.
To celebrate the anniversary of this iconic work, Grammy nominated composer Peter Boyer has written an homage to Gershwin entitled “Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue”. Boyer collaborated with Steinway artist Jeffrey Biegel to embark on a unique introduction of this new work for piano and orchestra.
One orchestra in each US state will give the local premiere of the music over the next three years. The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra was asked to be the New Hampshire based orchestra to play the state’s premiere performance. This is a great opportunity to showcase the orchestra and will be one that we widely promote.
This is not the orchestra’s first premiere performance of a new work, but it will be the first premiere on a national scale. In addition, the concert includes Rhapsody in Blue, Bernstein's Candide Overture, Tower's Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, and Wm. Grant Still's Third Symphony.
October 14 and 15, 2023
Dvorak’s 7th Symphony, Bohemian Rhapsodies
Sorry Queen fans, but these are rhapsodies by real Bohemians. This vibrant concert explores the rich tapestry of Czech and English music, traversing spirited overtures, evocative suites, fantastical scherzos, soul-stirring concertos, and impassioned symphonies. The evening begins with Smetana's energetic Overture to The Bartered Bride, transitioning seamlessly into the pastoral scenes painted by Kaprálová in her Suita Rustica. The ethereal beauty of Suk's Scherzo Fantastique lends a whimsical touch, before the concert delves into the profundity of Elgar's Cello Concerto, a cornerstone of the Romantic era. Concluding the night is Dvořák's Symphony No. 7, a triumphant blend of folk elements and symphonic tradition. This concert provides a captivating journey through diverse emotional landscapes, perfectly showcasing the enduring charm of these musical masterpieces.
February 24 & 25, 2024 - Musically driven students and faculty from the Keene State College Concert Choir and the Plymouth State University Choirs had the chance to showcase their talents alongside the New Hampshire Philharmonic as part of a series of concerts showcasing Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 on Feb. 18, 24 and 25 at Plymouth State University, and the Seifert Performing Arts Center in Salem, N.H.
The KSC and PSU choir members and faculty provided the vocal component for Symphony No. 2. Vocal solos were provided by KSC’s soprano soloist Dr. Evan Leontis, and PSU’s alto soloist Hannah Murray.
KSC music Professor Dr. Sandra Howard sang alongside the choir and said the performance opportunity correlates with student success.
Howard said two choral professors, two solo vocalists and an orchestra, among other musicians, collaborated to realize the performance.
“This isn’t something our students have the chance to experience often,” Howard said. “This is a fantastic chance for our student musicians to level-up their musicianship, and hopefully build confidence that can translate into their future goals.”
Howard said the collaborative concert offered interdisciplinary opportunities to musically-minded members of the KSC community.
“Concert Choir is open to anyone on campus. We’re not just talking choral students, but anyone who connects with music. We have members from over 20 different majors, including instrumental students who wanted the chance to get up close and personal with the professional level New Hampshire Philharmonic,” said Howard.
Val Zanchuk is a trumpet player and the treasurer of the New Hampshire Philharmonic’s board of directors. Zanchuk said the Mahler concert series was the orchestra’s first collaboration with college-level musicians.
“This isn’t an opportunity they have every day, being able to play with a professional orchestra doesn’t happen all too often, and it was exciting for all of us,” Zanchuk said. “They did a great job, and we didn’t have to rehearse for more than one session. The choir came in so softly that it felt like heaven.”
Zanchuk added, “I hope they had the chance to embrace the personal, emotional, and spiritual feeling you get from performing for an audience,” Zanchuk said.
Junior James Slipp, a music performance major who sang with the Concert Choir, said Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 was a challenging and rewarding piece to work on. “This semester has been almost constant work on Mahler. It’s a challenging piece, and most people don’t get to perform at this level until later in their musical careers,” said Slipp. “It’s been great to work alongside so many talented people, and I hope the audience feels the same kind of awe we do. Mahler knew exactly what he was doing,” Slipp said.
Reporter: Ryan Pacheco can be contacted at rpacheco@kscequinox.com
https://kscequinox.com/2024/03/concert-choir-sings-in-salem/
Our annual Holiday Pops concert combines classical and popular seasonal favorites to put you in that holiday mood. This concert is great for all ages and always an audience favorite. This year’s concert will also introduce the music of Florence Price, the first major black woman composer. Her “Dances in the Canebreaks” introduces dance music themes she knew in her lifetime. Her music is now regularly performed by major orchestras.
Population: 30,448
Population 50+: 46%
Days of sunshine a year: 201
Median home price: $406,600
Salem might be on the smaller side of our list, but nearly half of its just 30,000 residents are 50 and up — making it easy for retirees to find community in this north Boston suburb.
The town’s amenities serve a wide range of interests. Residents can hit the links at one of the area’s three golf courses, ante up at Chasers Poker Room and Casino, or take the grandkids to Canobie State Park, a 1902 amusement park still in operation today.
Love live music? The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra — known as “The Phil” — is based in Salem. Catch it throughout the year at the Seifert Performing Arts Center. One festive event on the calendar is The Phil’s Holiday Pops concert, which features both classic and modern holiday hits.
For exercise, Salem Town Forest is full of trails to hike and bike. If you have the travel bug but can’t afford an international trip, stop by “America’s Stonehenge,” Salem’s 4,000-year-old maze of rocks and stone. Rumor has it the site served as an astronomical calendar many moons ago.
If retail therapy’s more your thing, you’re in luck: New Hampshire is one of the few states with zero sales tax. Take advantage at Salem’s Mall at Rockingham Park (there’s over 1 million square feet of shopping space!), head over to the outlet shops in nearby Merrimack, or make a day of it in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. Beantown’s about a 45-minute drive south.
It has been quite an absence since The Phil last performed. Our world has been shaken by tragedy and then offered breakthroughs of hope to rise from those dark days. Our returning concert reflects those themes. From the powerful opening of Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, with its ensuing tender moments, to the contemplative and haunting Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber, to the dark opening of Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, through the beautiful French horn solo of its second movement, and then to its ending of hope and triumph, we are inspired to brighten your spirits.
