The Pasadena Community Orchestra opens its 44th season with a free concert at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena.

The program features five works: the Overture to Offenbach's "Orpheus in the Underworld," Haydn's "Symphony No. 84," Ives' "Variations on America," Fauré's "Pavane" and Tchaikovsky's "Capriccio Italien," Pasadena Now reported. A pre-concert discussion starts at 7:15 p.m. at the church, located at 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.

Admission and parking are free.

Conductor Bethany Pflueger, a Sierra Madre resident, has led the orchestra since fall 2013. She is a professor emeritus from Glendale Community College and has also conducted the Glendale College Orchestra and Opera Pasadena. Her performing career in the Los Angeles area includes a Grammy award for an ensemble performance, according to the orchestra's website.

In a January 2023 Pasadena Weekly profile marking the orchestra's 40th anniversary, Pflueger described the group as a hidden gem in Pasadena's arts community.

"There's a lot of great history to what this orchestra does, which is basically bringing high-quality music to the community for free …" Pflueger told Pasadena Weekly at the time.

The orchestra traces its roots to 1983, when conductor Wayne Reinecke and a group of local musicians founded the ensemble. They first rehearsed and performed at the Methodist Church of Pasadena before moving to First Church of the Nazarene in 1987. The group has performed there ever since.

The ensemble has 60 to 70 volunteer members from the greater Pasadena area. Its musicians include doctors, lawyers, teachers, artists and photographers. The nonprofit is supported by donations from individuals and companies.

The orchestra also sponsors a Young Artist Competition, launched in 1986, that gives young musicians a chance to audition for a cash prize and a solo performance with the orchestra.

The rest of the 2026–27 season continues Jan. 22, 2027, with the Young Artist Competition on Feb. 6, 2027, at Pasadena Conservatory of Music. Additional concerts follow March 12 and May 7, 2027. The season closes with a Concert in the Park at 6:30 p.m. June 5, 2027.

For more information, call (626) 445-6708 or visit pcomusic.org.