News Summary
The Boston Landmarks Orchestra will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a series of free summer concerts from June to August. Directed by Christopher Wilkins, the season features performances at DCR Hatch Memorial Shell and various neighborhoods. Highlights include collaborative shows with the New England Aquarium, Juneteenth concert, and notable works by American composers. All concerts are free, ensuring accessibility for everyone, with activities including a family kickoff event and dog-friendly picnics.
Boston is set to celebrate the 25th anniversary season of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra with a lineup of free summer concerts from June 14 to August 27, 2025. Under the direction of Music Director Christopher Wilkins, this season will include performances at the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell on the Esplanade and several neighborhoods throughout the city, focusing on community celebration and the joy of music-making.
The concert season will feature various highlights, including a collaborative performance with the New England Aquarium and the third annual Juneteenth concert. Audiences can expect to enjoy works by notable American composers like John Williams and Amy Beach, as well as iconic pieces such as Mahler’s First Symphony and Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony. The season will also showcase two guest ensembles, alongside a free family community event.
All concerts will remain free and open to the public, with ASL interpreters present at many performances to ensure accessibility. Attendees at the Hatch Shell are encouraged to bring picnics and dogs to enjoy the outdoor setting fully.
Christopher Wilkins expressed the orchestra’s commitment to making live orchestral music accessible to everyone, honoring the past while fostering a connected future. Emmett G. Price III, the Board Chair, emphasized the orchestra’s role as a bridge connecting generations, communities, and cultures. In support of its mission to offer accessible performances, the orchestra has received a significant grant from the Free for All Concert Fund.
A complete concert schedule, program notes, and additional details regarding accessibility will be available on the orchestra’s official website. The Juneteenth Celebration will kick off on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, featuring flutist DeShaun Gordon-King. The season’s opening kickoff party will take place on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the DCR Hatch Shell from 2-4 PM, which will include family-friendly activities.
The concert lineup also includes several special performances, such as the Longwood Symphony Orchestra on July 16, 2025, performing as a guest at the Hatch Shell. The concert schedule will highlight a variety of themes, such as:
- July 23, 2025: “The Best of Boston,” featuring works by Leonard Bernstein, John Williams, and Amy Beach’s Piano Concerto.
- July 30, 2025: “Peter & The Wolf and More,” centered around Prokofiev’s narrative work.
- August 6, 2025: A performance by Mercury Orchestra highlighting Respighi’s Pines of Rome and Finzi’s Intimations of Immortality.
- August 13, 2025: “Debussy and the Music of the Sea,” presented in collaboration with the New England Aquarium.
- August 20, 2025: “Eroica Symphony: Beethoven and Revolution,” focusing on Beethoven’s 3rd Symphony and works by Boston-based composer Val Jeanty.
- August 27, 2025: The season finale featuring Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 and Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2.
The Boston Landmarks Orchestra was founded in 2001 by Charles Ansbacher and has since performed at various historic locations. Since 2007, the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell has served as the orchestra’s principal venue, allowing it to engage with the community through free musical experiences.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Boston’s Summer Arts Guide Features Diverse Cultural Events
Additional Resources
- Beacon Hill Times: BLO Celebrates 25 Years
- Boston.com: Attend a Free Classical Music Performance
- Bay State Banner: Boston Landmarks Orchestra Premiering Unpublished Work
- Universal Hub: Clouds Provided Dramatic Backdrop at Hatch Shell
- Boston Globe: Classical Concerts This Summer
- Wikipedia: Boston Landmarks Orchestra
- Google Search: Boston Landmarks Orchestra
- Google Scholar: Boston Landmarks Orchestra
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boston Landmarks Orchestra
- Google News: Boston Landmarks Orchestra
