Savannah Philharmonic (SavPhil) proudly announces its modified 2020/21 season. “We have reimagined the experience to provide our community with in-person concerts, streaming performances and broadcast television,” said Frances Colón, Patron Services Manager. “We’re especially excited to announce the return of the extremely popular Picnic in the Park along with SavPhil Live from Victory North in October and a new concert offering, Phil the Squares with Music, which debuts on Labor Day. Other musical events include #ThrowBackThursday Series.”

SavPhil is partnering with homeowners and businesses of the downtown area to provide free outdoor music for the Savannah community. Perched on balconies and terraces overlooking Savannah’s squares, SavPhil Musicians will play a wide variety of musical selections. “We are thankful to Greg Parker and the Parker Companies for hosting the kick-off of the Phil the Squares Concert at their corporate office on Chippewa Square,” Keitaro Harada, Music and Artistic Director said. Future Phil the Squares with Music events will typically be announced a few days in advance of the performance.

From Rossini’s William Tell Overture to ragtime jazz, there’s something for everyone during this free Labor Day concert in Chippewa Square featuring a brass quintet. A Labor of Love is dedicated to the folks of Savannah, and to the hard-working composers that inspire the hard-working musicians of the Philharmonic. The first performance is from 11:30AM-12:30PM and the second performance is from 6:00PM-7:00PM. SavPhil is also featuring the performances via Facebook live. Featured artists include Mike Daly, French horn; Jimmy Hendricks, tuba; Paul Lott, trumpet; Carl Polk, trombone; and Jonathan Swygert, trumpet.

“Many people have been asking us about our popular Picnic in the Park event,“ according to Katherine Poss, Development Director. “This event traditionally takes place during October in Historic Forsyth Park. This year and due to COVID, we have worked hard to find a way to safely present a best-loved community event to Savannah. I’m delighted to announce that the show will go on thanks to the generous support of the City of Savannah as well as The Trustees Garden and WTOC.”

Picnic in the Park 2020 will feature a Halloween Mask-A-Rade theme, an Instagram contest, and more. WTOC is broadcasting the event filmed at Trustees Garden on Sunday, October 18, from 5:00PM-6:00PM. This year’s Picnic in the Park features Keitaro Harada, SavPhil’s conductor, and vocalist Hannah Zazzaro. Richard C. Kessler, Chairman and CEO, The Kessler Collection, will make a special appearance as a guest conductor.

Poss noted that SavPhil wants everyone to have a fun experience. “Decorate your picnic at home and enter our photo contest for prizes! It’s the event you won’t want to miss!” For more information about Picnic in the Park and the contest, please go to savannahphilharmonic.org.

The crowning jewel in the fall line-up of Philharmonic performances is SavPhil Live from Victory North sponsored by Critz Auto Group. This is a four-part chamber series of small, socially-distanced live concerts held at Victory North beginning Thursday, October 1 at 7:30PM.  Tickets will be available in a limited quantity as well as live-streaming options for those who prefer to experience the music from the comfort of their homes.  Live-streaming is made possible by Ken and Nancy Larsen. Sav Phil is committed to “Keeping the Music Playing” for Savannah this fall!  Stay tuned for more details about SavPhil Live from Victory North.  

#ThrowBackThursday with SavPhil kicks off on Thursday, September 17 and offers fans an opportunity to relive the excitement of SavPhil’s  past concerts. SavPhil will be releasing free pre-recorded concerts from our archives that will be available on YouTube for one week.

The Savannah Philharmonic is a professional orchestra presenting a full range of concerts each season from classics to pops. Savannah Philharmonic Chorus is a community-based auditioned ensemble that performs regularly with the orchestra and in chorus-only concerts. Both are 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations. 

For more information, please go to savannahphilharmonic.org.