Salem Philharmonic

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Founded in 1904, the Salem Philharmonic is a 50 piece professional orchestra that performs a series of free concerts every winter. The orchestra performs "pops" style concerts featuring light classical music and show tunes. In the 1940's the philharmonic's conductor was Claude Phillips, music director at several local schools. On his passing, Richard Boisvert took over as director and then was succeeded by the present able conductor, Alan Hawryluk. Under Claude Phillips, the series was funded by the Reed Fund and concerts were held at the YMCA building on Essex St. even being broadcast on local WESX radio. When the YMCA converted its auditorium to a gym, the orchestra moved to local churches, including the First Universalist Church on Bridge Street. In 1976, when the new Salem High School was built, the orchestra found a permanent home.