Conductor Gregory Vajda says many Hamiltonians are entering Remembrance Day this year in a state of shock and pain, still mourning the death of local soldier Cpl. Nathan Cirillo who was slain in Ottawa.

To honour Cirillo, and all of the other soldiers who have served, Vajda will lead the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra through a series of songs he calls "healing" during a Saturday night concert at Hamilton Place.

Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra rehearsal

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra rehearses at Hamilton Place on Thursday, ahead of this weekend's performance. (John Rieti/CBC)

​"It's in the air right now, everyone's feeling the pain right now," Vajda told CBC Hamilton.

A night of classical music, he said, "is good for the soul."

Over 250 military personnel and their families are expected to attend the concert, where members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipes and Drums and Royal Hamilton Light Infantry bands will perform alongside the orchestra.

The orchestra will perform Adagio for Strings as well as Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, in addition to several other pieces Vajda said will fit the feeling of the evening.

Vajda will host a pre-talk at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available online, and range from $10-$67.