By Bethany Sinnott

For the Salisbury Post

“If music be the food of love, play on,” commands the lovesick Duke Orsino in the opening line of  Shakespeare’s comedy “Twelfth Night.”

Music, of course, feeds not just love but many other human experiences, heightening celebrations, comforting grief, inspiring dance, augmenting worship, inspiring patriotism, intriguing the intellect. Civilizations throughout history have invented musical instruments to accompany their life experiences and to share them with their fellow humans. Music is indeed a universal language.

In today’s fragmented society, music and the other arts may offer one way of connecting people, bringing them together, as James Dane Harvey, executive director of the Salisbury Symphony, believes.

The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, having last year celebrated 50 years of  bringing outstanding symphonic music to Salisbury,  is launching several new efforts to provide music experiences to more diverse audiences. Last year’s concert featuring musician and racecar driver Kyle Petty showed that a more varied program can attract wider audiences. One example of this year’s outreach efforts is the recently announced 12-week free “learn to play violin” program in East Spencer sponsored by the Symphony. People of all ages will have the opportunity to experience music by playing an instrument themselves.

Next Saturday’s Symphony Concert will offer audiences more than one way to experience the music. At 5:30 the doors to Catawba College’s Crystal Lounge, adjacent to the Keppel Auditorium, will open for a free arts experience. Local art and artists from the Rail Walk Gallery and local musicians representing various genres will be featured, while food and beverages from Morgan Ridge Vineyards and Brewery will be available for purchase. The innovative “pop-up bar” will be called “The Lounge.”

At 7:30 the regular Symphony concert, featuring Bach. Brahms, and Beethoven, three of the most beloved classical composers, will begin in Keppel Auditorium. Access to the concert will be available in three ways. Regular tickets and special $1 balcony tickets  (families find these an economical way of providing the symphony experience for children) may be purchased at the box office if they were not obtained in advance. The third way is to enjoy the concert by staying in the Crystal Lounge, where a big screen TV will live-stream the concert to those who want to continue a more informal experience of the arts. If the annual Pops at the Post concert attendance is any indication, Salisbury loves quality music experiences.

Symphony Executive Director Harvey is passionate about the role of music and the other arts in strengthening communities. The divisiveness of modern society can be combated by arts experiences that bring people together, he believes. Harvey hopes to take the Salisbury Symphony to a wider and more diverse audience than it has had in the past, and the upcoming performance is one of those efforts.

Music Director David Hagy will lead the Symphony in Saturday’s concert, which is sponsored by Charles and Rachel Oestreicher Bernheim. Three popular symphonic works will be featured: Bach’s “Brandenburg” No. 3, Brahms’ Symphony No. 3, and Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony No. 3.

Community groups are eligible to receive discounted or complimentary tickets. Contact director@salisburysymphony.org or call 704-637-4314 for details. For tickets and information, visit www.salisburysymphony.org.

Bethany Sinnott is a Shakespeare scholar and retired professor of English at Catawba College.