Specialties
The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra performs in the historic Forum auditorium on the grounds of the State Capitol Complex in downtown Harrisburg, PA.
The HSO presents seven pairs of Masterworks Concerts and four pairs of Pops Concerts each season. In addition, the Orchestra has a decades-long tradition of performing free outdoor concerts (five in 2009) around the 4th of July holiday.
By virtue of its close proximity to four major metropolitan areas (Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, and New York City environs), the Orchestra is able to take advantage of a large pool of highly skilled "freelancers" when hiring musicians.
On any given weekend, the Harrisburg Symphony is comprised of players from across the Northeast, and in some cases from as far away as Boston, Rochester, Chicago, Cincinnati, North Carolina and Texas.
History
Established in 1931.
The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra gave their first concert at William Penn High School in Harrisburg on March 19, 1931. George King Raudenbush was the first conductor, the orchestra's first music director. By the end of 1931 the orchestra had moved its concerts to the newly-opened Forum Auditorium in the Education Building, part of the Capitol Complex, where it still performs to this day.
Slowly but surely, the institution took root, eventually taking its rightful place among the Capitol Region's cornerstone cultural institutions. Beginning with Maestro Raudenbush, who stayed until 1950, the Harrisburg Symphony has had six music directors. Succeeding Raudenbush in the 1950-51 season was Edwin McArthur, whose tenure lasted until 1974. He was followed by David Epstein (1974-1978), Larry Newland (1978-1994), Richard Westerfield (1995-1999), and Stuart Malina (2000-present).
Meet the Manager: Stuart M.
Maestro Stuart Malina is one of America's most versatile and accomplished conductors. In a wide variety of concerts, from masterworks and grand opera to pops, Maestro Malina's ease on the podium, engaging personality, and insightful interpretations have thrilled audiences and helped to break down the barriers between performer and listener wherever he has worked. Stuart Malina has also held appointments at the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra (Music Director, 1996-2003), and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (Associate Conductor, 1993-97).
Maestro Malina made his Carnegie Hall debut in February of 2007, conducting the New York Pops in an all-Gershwin tribute including Rhapsody in Blue, which he conducted from the keyboard, and returned to Carnegie and the Pops in October of 2007.
