Let Us Bring Classical Music
to YOu and Your Community

Aurora Classical is an arts organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that is dedicated to keeping classical music alive. We are a go-to resource for connecting top notch professional classical vocalists and instrumentalists with appreciative audiences throughout Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley focusing on those for whom ticket and travel fees may be too dear.

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 About Our Organization

 About Our Organization

Our name was inspired by a newspaper publication founded by Benjamin Franklin Bache called “Philadelphia Aurora.” Bache was a grandson of Benjamin Franklin, and his paper stood for the rights of “yeoman farmers,” “planters,” and “plain folk.”

 Our Mission

 Our Mission

Aurora Classical’s mission is to provide classical music without all the perceived pretense that can get in the way of its enjoyment.

Our dual goal is to make the classical music repertory accessible to all, whether to first time listeners or sophisticated audiences, and to provide opportunities for our talented local artists in doing so.

Helping You Appreciate Classical Music

At our organization, we believe that classical music is for everyone, no matter your budget. We have been offering performances since Fall 2015.

Get in Touch With Us

If you are interested in attending our concerts or playing music with us, reach out to us today. We assure you that all applications will be reviewed, and you will be notified as soon as possible. We cannot wait to share the beauty of classical music with you!

Helping You Appreciate Classical Music

At our organization, we believe that classical music is for everyone, no matter what your budget is. We have been offering performances since Fall 2015.

Get in Touch With Us

If you are interested in attending our concerts or playing music with us, reach out to us today. We assure you that all applications will be, and you will be notified as soon as possible. We cannot wait to share the beauty of classical music with you.

Current Events

Check out the dates and information for our future events below.

Grocery Neighborhood Pop-up September 9th -

contact us if you know someone who could use some groceries.

9/11 Tribute, September 11, 8:30am

"A Philly Mikado!" September 14, 4pm

Welcome Fall Arts Festival at The Kimmel Center, September 21st

Classical Open Mic Matinee, September 22nd, 4pm

"Bon Appetit!" September 28th, 4pm

Screenshot 2024-08-21 at 11.23.37 AM

Reviews

Fringe Review: Bon Appetit by Julia Child and Lee Hoiby

...this was the début undertaking of Aurora Classical ("All of the quality, none of the pretense"), a new company (artistic directed by Weinman) whose goal is to bring classical music to the people via low-key concerts, kids opera productions and classical open mic matinées. Keep an eye out – if their future projects are half as enjoyable as this one, good things are in store.

—K. Ross Hoffman, Philadelphia City Paper

Widening the Reach of Classical Music

For Weinman, if just one person comes to an Aurora Classical show and decides to buy a ticket to the Academy of Music, the Kimmel Center or similar venues, their “work is done.”

—Sami Rahman, The Temple News

Our History

Our History

Discover more about our past classical music performances below.

2023 Season

We were offered a Classical Open Mic Mattinee at the 2022 Fringe Festival and continued to offer one each month after that.
In September 2023 we also started a Grocery Pop-Up once a month where we partnered with Caring for Friends to distribute groceries to combat neighborhood food insecurity.

2022 Season

We offered one show at the 2022 Fringe Festival and one collaboration concert.

  • 9/11/22 – 9/11 Remembrance at SRT Memorial. Music, stories and silent reflection.
  • 9/20/22 - "Welcome Back Operetta!" in collaboration with Concert Operetta Theater.

2021 Season

We were offered three shows at the 2021 Fringe Festival!

  • 9/11/21 – “Our American Experiences: a 9/11 20th Anniversary Remembrance Festival”
  • 10/2/21 – “How Gilbert and Sullivan got us through lockdown!” performed at 3 pm
  • 9/6 to 9/26 – Digital performance of “Bon Appetit!” by Julia Child and Lee Hoiby (during a Pandemic!)

2020 Season

  • 10/3/20 – “Bon Appetit!” by Julia Child and Lee Hoiby (Philly Fringe Festival, Livestreamed from Fringearts during a Pandemic)

2017-2019 Seasons

Once again, we returned to the Fringe Festival!

  • 8/17 – “Bon Appetit!” at the Philly Fringe Festival. Sponsored by BLOKTOBERFEST

Details for this and the performances from the rest of the season will be announced very soon.

2016-2017 Seasons

This season, we were pleased to announce that we are a 501c3, merging with CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia. Our name is officially “Aurora Classical of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia.”

We also began a partnership with The Watermark at Logan Square 2 Franklin Town Blvd, Philadelphia, PA. Also, we hosted concerts featuring:

  • 9/13 – “Bon Appetit!” Fringe Festival
  • 10/25 – Glenn Fischbach (Cello) and Jennifer K. Lee (Violin) are very successful musicians who both play with the Philly Pops. Glenn is a regular substitute with The Philadelphia Orchestra. Jennifer and Glenn’s daughter also performed with them for one piece.
  • 11/8 – Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” with Children’s Opera Box. We looked for neighborhood kids to come and have fun, and be a part of this scaled-down opera. We let them experience the art form for themselves and had 10-20 kids who participated.
  • Martin Hargrove –
    Bass-Baritone
  • Glenn Fisch – Cello
  • Jennifer K. Lee – Violin
  • Emily Fischbach – Violin
  • Martin Hargrove – Bass-Baritone
  • Glenn Fisch – Cello
  • Jennifer K. Lee – Violin
  • Emily Fischbach – Violin
  • Alyson Harvey –
    Mezzo-Soprano
  • Krystiane Cooper – Soprano
  • Erik Meyer – Piano
  • Alyson Harvey – Mezzo-Soprano
  • Krystiane Cooper – Soprano
  • Erik Meyer – Piano

We also organized classical open mic matinees where we gave many area musicians a chance to test out new repertoire and techniques. These were hosted by Artistic Director, Susan Weinman, and featured:

  • Ting Ting Wong – Pianist
  • Mark Blaschke – Pianist

Fall 2015 Season

Shows Cancelled Due to the Pandemic

Hopefully, our canceled shows will be rescheduled soon. These are:

  • 4/24 – New Concert Series at the United Communities Houston Center in Southeast Philadelphia Featuring Cellist Glenn Fishbach, 5:30 pm

Other concerts will be announced in the future.