Specialties
Now in its 64th season, the Allentown Symphony Orchestra is the leading symphonic ensemble in Pennsylvania?s Lehigh Valley. Under the musical leadership of Music Director/Conductor Diane Wittry, the Allentown Symphony performs five Subscription Concerts each year in Allentown?s historic, 1150-seat Symphony Hall. In 2014-2015, these concerts will again be offered on both Saturdays evenings and Sunday afternoons. In addition, the orchestra also performs Educational, Youth and Family Concerts that reach more than 5,000 children each year, and presents the annual Symphony Ball, for decades a leading 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. The Allentown Symphony has had only three music directors throughout its history, each bringing a high level of artistic quality to Lehigh Valley audiences. 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 music legends as Placido Domingo, Phyllis Curtin, Rudolf Serkin, John Corigliano, Benny Goodman, and many others. William Smith conducted the Symphony from 1986 to 1990...
History
Established in 1951.
Allentown Symphony Orchestra, incorporated in 1951, is the smallest Symphony in the United States to own its own hall. Since its being built in 1896, the hall has served as a Community Marketplace, Welsh Singing Hall, Vaudeville and Burlesque Theater, and now the Peforming Arts Center which it is today--with over 70 shows per season in one of its two concert venues; the classic hall with 1150 seats, or the Rodale Community Room which seats 200 cabaret style.
Meet the Manager: Sheila E.
Sheila Evans, Executive Director of the Allentown Symphony Hall, took over leadership of the organization in January 2009. Since that time the hall has grown its performances from 18 per year to 68 per year including, JAzz, Classical, Rock, Orchestra, and a growing Children's Progamming.