Erie Phil Plans to Be 'In Your Hometown' This Summer

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This summer, the Erie Philharmonic will be conducting quite the road trip.

Touring Erie County and slightly beyond, the "In Your Hometown" outdoor concert series will be popping up at regional parks and patios from June through September, with 16 dates slated in total. Embracing the modularity of its musical resources, the Phil is planning to mix and match its summer outfits, assembling four unique ensembles for each leg of the tour. Using this approach, the Phil hopes to appeal to a broad range of audiences across a wide territory. 

Online voters chose the locales through the Philharmonic website this spring, with the concerts being offered free of charge through "the heroic generosity shown by our patrons, sponsors, volunteers, and advertisers," according to music director Daniel Meyer. 

Well, we'd hate to string you along any longer, so without further ado, here's the full lineup (all concerts begin at 7 p.m. unless otherwise indicated):

First Leg: A full orchestra backs live narration of the beloved tale of Peter and the Wolf. Pre-concert activities offered by Erie Playhouse and expERIEnce Children's Museum one hour prior to each performance. 

• Wednesday, 6/23: Gibson Park in North East (Narrator Lisa Adams)
• Thursday, 6/24: Goodell Gardens in Edinboro (Narrator Richard Scaletta)
• Friday, 6/25: Diamond Park in Meadville (Narrator Armendia Dixon)
• Saturday, 6/26: Horan Garden Apartments in Erie (Narrator TBA)
• Sunday, 6/27: Gridley Park in Erie (Narrator Shawn Clerkin), 3 p.m. start

Second Leg: A 16-person brass ensemble blazes through patriotic selections and Americana, featuring the works of John Philip Sousa, Henry Mancini, Scott Joplin, and more. 

• Monday, 7/5: Pleasant Ridge Park in Fairview
• Wednesday, 7/7: Gibson Park in North East
• Thursday, 7/8: Perry Square in Erie
• Friday, 7/9: WQLN in Erie
• Monday, 7/12: Ed Myer Complex in Titusville, 6 p.m. start

Third Leg: Light, breezy, and whimsical classical music from a nine-person chamber ensemble, featuring selections from Carmen, Rossini, Bolero, and more.

• Tuesday, 8/10: Edinboro University in Edinboro 
• Wednesday, 8/11: Gibson Park in North East
• Sunday, 8/15: Perry Square in Erie, noon start
• Tuesday, 8/17: Asbury Woods in Erie
• Wednesday, 8/18: Lake Erie Community Park in Girard

Encore: Erie Philharmonic Strings bow out gracefully with a final appearance at Gibson Park in North East on Wednesday, Sept. 8.

Matt Swanseger can be reached at mswanseger@eriereader.com