The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra always gets excellent reviews - ours, our friends, and in the media. Joan and I have been to many performances presented by the orchestra; in fact, we've had season tickets for a number of years. Why? Because it's excellent. Why? Because the orchestra's conductor and members are professionals drawn from nearby major cities as well as the local area. The number of musicians in a performance varies as needed by the specific program, but often more than seventy people. The fact that most of the performances are held in the beautiful Fulton Opera House helps too.

As I've done elsewhere on this site, I'll quote from the symphony's own web site (by the way, you can get to that site by clicking on any of these pictures). "Now in it's 62nd season, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra has played for over two decades under the direction of Maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser.

The Symphony has evolved from a community orchestra playing a few concerts per year into an organization comprised of professional musicians presenting six classic series concerts, a Sounds of the Season holiday concert series, a New Year's Eve Celebration concert, an Audience Requests Concert series, and a free, outdoor community concert.

The concerts feature international guest artists and conductors, and pre-concert lectures. Opening Night Friday audiences are also treated to a post-concert reception where they can interact with the Symphony's musicians and guest artists."

Program selections vary across the spectrum of music, and often include one selection that has never been heard in Pennsylvania, or perhaps even in the United States. That's why the phrase "Only in Lancaster" is included in the Symphony's advertising. To be frank the "Only in Lancaster" selection isn't usually my favorite part of the program; however, the other selections more than make up for whatever the "onlies" might lack.

One program that is always great throughout is the New Year's Eve concert. Unlike most of the other concerts this one is usually held at the American Music Theatre. For good reason: it has many more seats and offers adequate space for celebrating and serving champagne. If you're lucky enough to be in town then, it's a rousing good way to welcome the New Year. If not, enjoy the Symphony at any of its other performances.

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