Just in time for Summer, The Island Symphony Orchestra will present its Summer Serenade concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 20, at Monsignor Purick Hall at St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Shore. The performance, led by music director Eric R. Stewart, will feature violinist Tong Chen, winner of the ISO–Stony Brook Classical Concerto Competition.

The program includes Dvorak’s “Serenade for Strings in E major, Opus 22” and Mozart’s “Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K. 218.” Tickets are $15 for general admission and free for students. An outdoor dessert reception will follow the concert, with plans to host it in the church courtyard, weather permitting.

Shanghai native and violinist Tong Chen, praised by Itzhak Perlman for “playing deep down from his heart,” is a gifted soloist and chamber musician. He is known for his emotionally moving performances and refined technique. Chen has received top honors at prestigious competitions, including second place at the Hong Kong International Violin Competition, third place at the Vancouver International Music Competition, and finalist recognition at both the Ysaye International Violin Competition and the 2024 Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition.

Chen has performed at the Verbier Music Festival, the Yellow Barn Chamber Music Festival, the Bowdoin International Music Festival, the Four Seasons Chamber Music Winter Workshop, the Prussia Cove International Musicians Seminar, the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, and the Chamber Music Workshop at the Perlman Music Program.

As a dedicated chamber musician, Chen has worked alongside members of the Borromeo, Juilliard, Brentano, Doric, and Belcea Quartets, as well as cellist Merry Peckham. He has also performed with internationally recognized artists, including Ida Kavafian, Colin Carr, Melvin Chen, Areta Zhulla, Vivian Hornik Weilerstein, Natasha Brofsky, and Anthony Marwood.

Chen studied at the New England Conservatory, where he completed his bachelor’s, master’s, and graduate diploma programs. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Stony Brook University under the tutelage of Philip Setzer and Jennifer Frautschi.