The American Chamber Chorale welcomes the Salem Chamber Orchestra who will join forces with the Chorale in all concerts this season. Many churches hire professional musicians to play for special occasions such as Christmas Eve or Easter. But having a professional orchestra as a regular feature of worship would be too costly, over-the-top, extravagant. But we know God loves extravagantly and we want to share God’s love with you. With everyone.

The belief that God speaks through music of all kinds is the idea that led to the formation of the Salem Chamber Orchestra.  What better place to offer great music than in the church? The Salem Chamber Orchestra is comprised of many of the finest professional orchestra players in the St. Louis area. Although members of the orchestra come from many faith backgrounds, they are united by their love of music and the belief that church is the first place great music should be heard.

The string section is the core of the Chamber Orchestra and regularly plays for the 10:45 Traditional Worship Service.  Brass, woodwinds, harp, percussion, and other instruments are added when needed for the music of the day. Since the Chamber Orchestra’s inception in January of 2016, trumpets, horns, trombones, flutes, oboes, clarinets, saxophones, bassoons, harp, and percussion instruments have been added on various Sundays for music of Bach, Handel, Albinoni, Corelli, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Brahms, Copland, Barber and for Sunday morning collaborations with guest artists from Opera Theatre of St. Louis, the St. Louis Symphony, and Jazz St. Louis.  R&B star Bebe Winans has visited Salem many times, collaborating with the orchestra and the Salem Chancel Choir in renditions of many of his Gospel hits.  Other musical guests at Salem since January of 2016 are jazz great James Carter and his trio, Joey DeFrancesco, and Denise Thimes.  Local musician and arranger, Wayne Coniglio, wrote an arrangement of the great spiritual, Deep River for the Salem Chamber Orchestra and clarinetist, Elsie Parker (of Elsie Parker and the Poor People of Paris).

While many churches hire musicians to play in worship on special occasions, having the Salem Chamber Orchestra as a regular part of the 10:45am Traditional Worship service, makes Salem the place to worship for people who love music. Plan to worship at Salem soon!