Allentown Symphony Orchestra
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Now in its 56th season, the Allentown Symphony Orchestra is an ochestra from Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.
The orchestra performs Educational, Youth and Family Concerts that reach more than 5,000 children each year, and presents the annual Symphony Ball, for decades an annual social event in the Lehigh Valley. In March each year, the Allentown Symphony hosts the Schadt String Competition, a national competition for professional violinists, cellists and guitarists.
Under the musical leadership of Music Director/Conductor Diane Wittry, the Allentown Symphony performs five Subscription Concerts each year in Allentown’s historic, 1200-seat Symphony Hall located in downtown Allentown.
[edit] History
The Allentown Symphony has had only three music directors throughout its history. Donald Voorhees, famed conductor of the “Bell Telephone Hour,” served as the first music director of the Allentown Symphony for over thirty years from 1951 to 1983. Under his direction, the orchestra collaborated with such musical figures as Placido Domingo, Phyllis Curtin, Rudolf Serkin, John Corigliano, Benny Goodman, and many others. William Smith conducted the Symphony from 1986 to 1990. Serving as assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In 1995, the Allentown Symphony appointed Diane Wittry as its third music director and conductor.
The ASO has additionally hosted a number of notable guest conductors, and have also participated in one world premier concert, composer Jordan Waring´s Symphony No. 2.