05/11/2026
North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra Announces 3rd Annual Children's Concert
Featuring the Premiere of "Ballad of Dick Whittington - A 'Purr-fect' Musical Adventure"
BEVERLY, MA – The North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra (NSPO) is thrilled to announce its
3rd Annual Children’s Concert, a family-friendly celebration of music and community. This
year’s event takes place on Sunday, June 7 at the First Baptist Church in Beverly and
features conductor Marshunda Smith leading an afternoon of interactive musical discovery.
The festivities kick off at 2:00 PM with a variety of pre-concert activities. Children and their
families are invited to explore the world of orchestral music hands-on at the popular
"Instrument Petting Zoo," where they can see, touch, and try out different instruments. The
pre-concert hour will also feature interactive musical crafts and special prelude performances by talented local music students.
At 3:00 PM, the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra will take the stage for the main event.
The highlight of the program is the highly anticipated premiere of "Ballad of Dick Whittington - A 'Purr-fect' Musical Adventure" by local Danvers composer Charles Turner. This enchanting musical storytelling experience will bring the classic English folktale to life through the dynamic and expressive power of the symphony orchestra.
Meet the Artists
Marshunda Smith, Conductor
Marshunda Smith is a conductor known for her "quirky sense of fun" and a storytelling approach that makes orchestral music impossible to sit still for. She currently serves as Music Director of the Lowell Philharmonic, the Belmont Community Orchestra, the No-Name Orchestra, and the Cherry Hill Chamber Orchestra. A cellist and educator with a historic connection to the NSPO, she believes the right story, told through music, pulls every listener into the same heartbeat.
Charles Turner, Composer
Based in Danvers, composer Charles Turner is a familiar face to many on the North Shore. A composer and bass-baritone vocalist who has also performed as a bassist with the NSPO, Charles has a gift for writing music that feels like an inviting conversation. Whether he is writing for a full symphony or a small group of singers, his music is always full of imagination. His new work, Ballad of Dick Whittington - A "Purr-fect" Musical Adventure, was written specifically to capture the hearts of young listeners, using the different sounds of the orchestra to bring a legendary adventure to life.
Event Details:
â—Ź What: North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra's 3rd Annual Children's Concert
â—Ź When: Sunday, June 7
○ 2:00 PM – Instrument Petting Zoo, Musical Crafts, and Student Performances
○ 3:00 PM – Orchestra Concert
â—Ź Where: First Baptist Church, Beverly, MA
â—Ź Tickets: Available now at www.nspo.org
About the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra: Founded in 1947, the North Shore
Philharmonic Orchestra has spent nearly eight decades bringing the joy of music to the region. Under the artistic leadership of Music Director Robert Lehmann, the NSPO is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible symphonic music to the communities of the North Shore. Comprised of dedicated volunteer musicians, the orchestra strives to enrich the cultural life of the region through diverse programming and educational outreach.
CUTLINE:
Marshunda Smith, Conductor
