[photo credit: Pasadena Community Orchestra]
The concert opens Sierra Madre’s 2026 Summer Concerts in the Park, a free nine-date series that runs through August 9 at the Memorial Park Bandshell, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. The orchestra’s program features popular themes and film music tunes the PCO describes as “fun and familiar to almost everyone,” according to the orchestra’s website. For Pasadena and Altadena residents, the bandshell is roughly a 10-minute drive east on the 210 Freeway.
The PCO lists the concert starting at 6:30 p.m. on its website; the City of Sierra Madre lists the series time as 6 to 8 p.m. The concert is free. No tickets or registration are required.
Conductor Bethany Pflueger, a Sierra Madre resident, has led the orchestra since 2013. She is also Professor Emeritus at Glendale Community College and holds a Grammy Award for an ensemble performance, according to the PCO website.
“There’s a lot of great history to what this orchestra does, which is basically bringing high-quality music to the community for free and that’s something you don’t get every day,” Pflueger said in a 2023 interview with the Pasadena Weekly.
The ensemble draws its volunteer musicians from across the greater Pasadena area doctors, lawyers, teachers, artists, and photographers who rehearse Wednesday nights and perform without pay, according to the orchestra’s website. The group first rehearsed and performed at the Methodist Church of Pasadena before moving to First Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena in 1987, where it holds its regular season concerts, according to the PCO website. A handful of the original 1983 members still play in the orchestra, according to the PCO website. Founder Wayne Reinecke and his wife, Sue, continue to advise the organization.
The orchestra is partially funded by the City of Pasadena, the Pasadena Community Foundation, and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, according to the PCO website.
The orchestra encourages attendees to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic dinners. Dogs on leashes are welcome if they remain calm. Alcohol is not permitted in the park, according to the PCO event listing.
The nine-week series continues after the PCO opening with Sierra Madre Music on June 7, Main St Groovers on June 14, and Acme Time Machine on June 28. July dates include a Taylor Swift tribute by The New Romantics on July 12, Smokin 60’s on July 19, and an Elvis tribute on July 26. The series closes with 4 Lads from Liverpool, a Beatles tribute, on August 2 and Skinny Ties on August 9, according to the city’s website. Six of the nine concerts have community sponsors.
For information about the concert series, contact the Sierra Madre Community Services Department at (626) 355-5278 or visit sierramadreca.gov. For information about the Pasadena Community Orchestra, visit pcomusic.org or call (626) 445-6708.
The orchestra returns in November for a new season. On Saturday, they play in the park.
