Springfield Symphony Orchestra Set to Celebrate Motown, Philly Sound on Jan. 17

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) will perform a Motown and Philly Sound Pops concert, “Let’s Groove Tonight,” on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Springfield Symphony Hall. The concert will feature three guest vocalists with extensive repertoires — Cherise Coaches, Brik Liam, and Jeremy Keith — and the return of Conductor William Waldrop.

Tickets for “Let’s Groove Tonight” are on sale, starting at $25, at springfieldsymphony.org or by calling the SSO Box Office at (413) 733-2291.

According to Heather Caisse-Roberts, president and CEO of the SSO, “this is bold, energetic music that changed culture and still hits just as hard today. Motown and the Philly Sound are fearless, soulful, and made to be felt live …  and bringing them to the stage with these incredible artists and a full orchestra is going to light up Symphony Hall.”

The SSO is hosting this Pops concert during the weekend of the Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday. Springfield-based community organization Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services (MLKFS) will be the SSO’s nonprofit partner for the event and will have a table set up in the lobby promoting its annual MLK Day event and the programs and services it provides throughout the year. Concertgoers can also stop by the table to sign up for a door prize that will include items from the SSO, MLKFS, and the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield (YPS).

Upstairs in the Mahogany Room, there will be a vendor market featuring YPS and a variety of Black-owned businesses in the spirit of MLK weekend. There will also be a photobooth for concertgoers to enjoy.

“What makes the night even more powerful is doing it alongside our partners at MLK, Jr. Family Services and the Young Professional Society,” Caisse-Roberts said. “This concert is about sound, soul, and community coming together in a way that only live music can. Come celebrate. Dust off the dancing shoes and sing along.”