MARION — Buzzards Bay Musicfest President Sally Conkright took the stage just before the start of the 26th rendition of the five-day long festival on Wednesday, July 10 and told the abundant opening night crowd “You’re going to have a lot of ear candy tonight.”

About an hour later, it was clear that the audience was in agreement with Conkright, as they gave the orchestra on stage a round of applause that lasted around three minutes after a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 1.”

“Now that’s what I call an applause,” said one audience member as the orchestra went into intermission.

Wednesday’s orchestra performance was the first of five concerts that will make up the 2024 Buzzards Bay Musicfest.

The festival will continue on Thursday, July 11 with a chamber music program. Friday’s show will be a swing jazz concert, followed by another chamber music show and an orchestra concert on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Shows will be held at 7:30 p.m. — except for Sunday’s show which begins at 2 p.m. — at the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Tabor Academy in Marion.

“This festival really is a testament to the beauty of collaboration and the diversity of musical expression,” said Conkright before the show. “We're thrilled to feature both the majestic sounds of the orchestra and chamber music as well as the vibrant energy of jazz. These different genres, while distinct in their style, share a common thread. They speak to our souls. They ignite our imagination.”

As for Wednesday’s orchestra concert, guest conductor Antony Walker described it as “an enormous treat.”

Walker said that this season of the Buzzards Bay Music Fest is “structured around firsts.”

Wednesday’s show featured the first symphonies of Wolfgang Mozart and Robert Schumann, along with the aforementioned “Piano Concerto No. 1” by Beethoven.

“This whole program is a celebration of youth and how youthful classical music can be,” said Walker.