Coming up in Philly music: Piffaro goes to sea

England is an island of seafarers, and music played an important role in the daily life of the mariners who created the legend of the Elizabethan navy. Sir Francis Drake actually took a small wind band on a voyage he led in 1589, a year after the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

Philadelphia’s own Renaissance wind band, Piffaro, will open its season with a program that features nautical work songs, maritime dances, depictions of sea battles, and religious pieces that expressed the prayers and hopes of the Elizabethan adventurers who risked the perils of the open sea. They’ll be joined by two vocalists with solid Renaissance and Baroque credits. Haitian baritone Jean Bernard Cerin solos with the Bach Festival of Philadelphia and Choral Arts Philadelphia. Tenor Garrett Eucker sings with The Rose Ensemble, the vocal group that sang with Piffaro in their spectacular opening concert last season.

Piffaro, the Renaissance Band presents Water, Winds & Waves: the Wind Band at Sea at two Philly concerts: Friday, September 14 at 7:30pm at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral (23 S. 38th Street); and on Saturday, September 15 at 7:30pm at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill (8855 Germantown Avenue). There’s a third show on Sunday, September 16 at 3pm at Christ Church Christiana Hundred in Wilmington. Tickets ($29-$49 premium; youth and full-time students free) are available online, by calling 215-235-8469, and at the door.