The Penobscot Bay Orchestra invites orchestral musicians from around the Penobscot region to join us in an open rehearsal to read through pieces for the Spring 2026 season. Interested players should contact Penobscot Bay Orchestra to acquire music in advance.

“Music is a great equalizer,” says conductor Deirdre McClure. “I admire this group - they are teachers, veterinarians, inn keepers, farmers, carpenters, medical professionals, students, potters, knitters, mechanics. They come together to make music, and their diverse backgrounds, ages, and beliefs create a rich camaraderie that only comes from working together with a singular purpose.”

The program includes music from Dvorak’s New World Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony, and a flute concerto by Devienne, featuring scholarship winner Miles Curtis on flute.

The includes features music from Dvorak’s New World Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony, and a flute concerto by Devienne, featuring scholarship winner Miles Curtis on flute.

The Penobscot Bay Orchestra invites orchestral musicians from around the Penobscot region to join us in an open rehearsal to read through pieces for the Fall 2025 sesion, which will include music by Dvorak, Deviennes, and more. Interested players should contact Penobscot Bay Orchestra to acquire music in advance., or it will be provided on the day.

“Music is a great equalizer,” says conductor Deirdre McClure. “I admire this group - they are teachers, veterinarians, inn keepers, farmers, carpenters, medical professionals, students, potters, knitters, mechanics. They come together to make music, and their diverse backgrounds, ages, and beliefs create a rich camaraderie that only comes from working together with a singular purpose.”

A little light operatic music from Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, Piazolla’s Tangos, a little Night Music fro Mozart and more.. With PBO Troubadours on stage.

This concert is supported in part by First National Bank and First National Wealth Management.

A little light operatic music from Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, Piazolla’s Tangos, a little Night Music from Mozart and more.. With PBO Troubadours. And introducing players from PBO’s initial Youth Chamber Program.

At the beginning of each season, we hold an open rehearsal, inviting musicians to give the orchestra a try, to see if they’d like to join us. No audition required. Music and music stands are provided. Please contact us for more information.

The New Romantics program includes the opening movement from Felix Mendelssohn’s 3rd Symphony, the Scottish. Local cellist and PBO member Kristi Spilde joins the orchestra as soloist in Robert Schuman’s Cello Concerto in A Minor. Also included on the program are Rossini's La Gazza Ladra (Thieving Magpie) Overture and augmenting the program are 2 short movements from string quartets by siblings Felix Mendelssohn and Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel.
This free concert will last about one hour. Voluntary donations will be collected at the door to support the orchestra’s Youth Chamber Music Program, starting in Belfast this summer.

The New Romantics program includes the opening movement from Felix Mendelssohn’s 3rd Symphony, the Scottish. Local cellist and PBO member Kristi Spilde joins the orchestra as soloist in Robert Schuman’s Cello Concerto in A Minor. Also included on the program are Rossini's La Gazza Ladra (Thieving Magpie) Overture and augmenting the program are 2 short movements from string quartets by siblings Felix Mendelssohn and Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel.
This free concert will last about one hour. Voluntary donations will be collected at the door to support the orchestra’s Youth Chamber Music Program, starting in Belfast this summer.

The Penobscot Bay Orchestra invites orchestral musicians from around the Penobscot region to join us in an open rehearsal to read through pieces for the Spring 2025 season, which will include music by Mendelssohn, and more. Interested players should contact Penobscot Bay Orchestra to acquire music in advance.

“Music is a great equalizer,” says conductor Deirdre McClure. “I admire this group - they are teachers, veterinarians, inn keepers, farmers, carpenters, medical professionals, students, potters, knitters, mechanics. They come together to make music, and their diverse backgrounds, ages, and beliefs create a rich camaraderie that only comes from working together with a singular purpose.”

The concert offers orchestral music of Dmitri Shostakovich, Pietro Mascagni, and Johann Strauss, Jr., along with chamber works performed without conductor that feature members of the orchestra, including Matthias Durst’s Adagio for Four Violas. Two of Shostakovich’s best known works will be heard, including the final movement of his Fifth Symphony and his Second Waltz. Mascagni’s beautiful Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana and the Blue Danube Waltz of Johann Strauss, Jr. will complete the program. This free concert will last about one hour.

The concert offers orchestral music of Dmitri Shostakovich, Pietro Mascagni, and Johann Strauss, Jr., along with chamber works performed without conductor that feature members of the orchestra, including Matthias Durst’s Adagio for Four Violas. Two of Shostakovich’s best known works will be heard, including the final movement of his Fifth Symphony and his Second Waltz. Mascagni’s beautiful Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana and the Blue Danube Waltz of Johann Strauss, Jr. will complete the program. This free concert will last about one hour.

The Penobscot Bay Orchestra will host an OPEN REHEARSAL at John St. United Methodist Church, 98 John St. in Camden, Maine on Tuesday, September 19 from 6-8 PM.  

We invite orchestral musicians from around the Penobscot region to join us in an open rehearsal to read through Schubert’s 8th Symphony in b minor (the Unfinished). Interested players should contact Penobscot Bay Orchestra at penobscotbayorchestra@gmail.com to acquire music in advance.

The Penobscot Bay Orchestra is launching its 3nd season, following an impressive start in 2021. The orchestra uses the arts to stimulate and advance compassionate involvement in significant social issues, and has given over $1,500 in audience donations to the United Midcoast Charities, The Landing Place - Knox County Homeless Coalition, Healthy Lincoln County, and the Camden Area Christian Food Pantry.

The orchestra's upcoming season will include music of Schubert, Borodin, and Stravinsky.

photo credit: Amy Levine

at the John St. United Methodist Church in Camden, ME.

This Summer's Pops Concert features 2 major works: excerpts from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, and two of George Gershwin’s Piano Preludes, arranged for orchestra. Other works include Paul Desmond’s Take 5, Gershwin’s Summertime from Porgy and Bess, and Harold Arlen’s Over The Rainbow, from the Wizard of Oz. As is customary with our concerts, members of the orchestra will be performing solo or chamber works on the program, as well.

Would you like to join a mid-coast orchestra?
Penobscot Bay Orchestra is holding open rehearsal for the upcoming season on January 17 at John St. Methodist Church in Camden. Intermediate and advanced musicians welcome.

For more information:
Email penobscotbayorchestra at gmail.com

Performing Elgar’s Nimrod, Smetana’s The Moldau, Jay Ungar’s Asokan Farewell, Carl Jenkins’ Palladio, selections from Bach’s 2nd Orchestral Suite, and a few seasonal favorites. “We chose the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, for our first performance, to offer warmth and joy in the midst of cold and darkness.,” said Artistic Director Deirdre McClure.

John St. Church, Camden ME