The Pioneer Valley Chamber Ensemble will bring Tooele a taste of the classics at its Easter-themed spring concert this weekend.
The program for Friday night’s concert — and for an encore performance on Saturday — focuses on heavy-hitting classical composers such as Mozart, Mendelssohn and Pergolesi.
But it offers a twist, as well — an unusual composition by Brazilian composer Heitor Villalobos.
While the concert will emphasize “serious classical music,” ensemble director Pamela Dale said she hoped that wouldn’t keep residents from taking advantage of this free opportunity to experience live orchestral music right here at home.
“If they’ve never heard classical music, that would be a reason to come,” she said. “The whole thing is classical.”
The ensemble’s annual Fourth of July concert will feature patriotic music, as well as some instrumental pops, she said.
This weekend’s concerts are also a great opportunity for local children to see the orchestra and its instruments up close and personal, because both venues — St. Barnabas’ church in Tooele and the Grantsville City Library — are much more intimate than a traditional concert hall, Dale said.
The Pioneer Chamber Ensemble consists of a small chamber orchestra and classically trained choir, with most members residing in Tooele Valley. Though most members are volunteer musicians, some are also local music teachers, making this weekend’s concert a good opportunity for students to see their mentors perform, Dale said.
Most of this weekend’s performance will feature both the choir and the orchestra, but a few special numbers will highlight specific performers, including a string quartet and a composition that calls for four cellists to accompany soprano soloist Heidi Robinson.
Friday’s concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church (1784 Aaron Drive). The encore performance at the Grantsville City Library will begin at 1 p.m. Both are free and open to all comers.