FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington Community Orchestra will present its spring concert Saturday, May 8, at Nordica Auditorium in UMF Merrill Hall. The ensemble, directed by Trond Saeverud, is a full symphonic orchestra including UMF students, staff and community members.

 The spring program will include “Karelia Suite,” by Jean Sibelius; “Symphony No. 1 in C,” by George Bizet; and “Proclamation” for trumpet and orchestra, by Ernest Bloch, with trumpet soloist Ray Phillips.

 Written early in Sibelius’ career, the “Karelia Suite” is a series of pieces composed for a patriotic pageant in Karelia, located in the southeastern part of Finland. “Symphony No. 1 in C” is a witty, spirited and tender work written by Bizet, the composer of “Carmen,” when he was only 17. “Proclamation” is an intense and intimate piece by Swiss-born American composer Ernest Bloch.

 Phillips will be featured soloist in the performance of Bloch’s “Proclamation.” He is an active member of UMF’s Community Orchestra and also participates in the Colby Symphony Orchestra, Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony Orchestra, Augusta Symphony Orchestra, Skowtown Big Band, Skowhegan Brass Quintet and Laid-Back Brass Quintet.

Saeverud has performed as soloist with major orchestras in Europe and the United States. He has built and conducted several community orchestras in Scandinavia, led annual chamber music workshops in Colorado and Missouri, and created his own school outreach program in Maine. Saeverud is currently concertmaster of the Bangor Symphony, first violin in the Nor’easter String Quartet, artistic director of the Harald Saeverud Chamber Music Program, and founder and conductor of the new Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony Orchestra.

The 7:30 p.m. concert is open to the public. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and free for children. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call 778-7072.

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