New London — Amid the bustle of passing cars and under the watchful eye of masked pedestrians, conductor Hilarie Clark Moore raised her baton.

Music swelled from the bows and strings of several musicians from the New London Community Orchestra gathered Saturday on Parade Plaza, the notes soaring through the late afternoon air and bouncing from the windows of nearby buildings. Later in the evening, a brass quintet took their place.

The performances were part of a concert series that the orchestra will run from 4 to 6 p.m. every Saturday through Oct. 24. Tom Clark, president of the orchestra, said they are an opportunity for the musicians to come out and play and bring a spark of life to the city's downtown.