With great excitement, we welcome you to the Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s 2025/26 season, A New Era: America at 250. This season marks a significant milestone, celebrating both the 250th anniversary of our nation and the beginning of a new chapter for our orchestra under the leadership of our new Music Director.

Together, we will honor America’s journey through a powerful season of music that reflects its stories, sounds, and traditions. Join us as we explore the diverse voices and cultural influences that have shaped our country and continue to inspire us today.

Season tickets go on sale Sunday, June 1. Individual concert tickets will be available starting August 1, 2025. Stay tuned for more details and sneak peeks!

Click here to download the concert flyer.

October 4, 2025 – Ellis Island: The Dream of America
Join us as we celebrate a new era under music director Moon Doh and AMERICA AT 250! This musical journey begins with Peter Boyer’s “Ellis Island: The Dream of America,” a compelling symphonic work that narrates the immigrant experience, brought to life by seven actors. Don’t miss this unforgettable performance honoring the resilience and spirit of those who sought a new beginning!

November 1, 2025 – A Jazz Odyssey
Ready for some jazz with flair? Immerse yourself in the brilliance of Duke Ellington’s monumental orchestral works. Delight in the playful textures of Shostakovich’s Jazz Suite, where classical sophistication meets jazz. Milhaud’s “The Creation of the World” promises to mesmerize every listening ear with its blend of rhythm, harmony and melodies from France.

December 6, 2025 – Holiday Traditions
Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with our annual Holiday Traditions! Enjoy a delightful selection of festive favorites, from beloved carols to classic symphonic arrangements that capture the spirit of the season alongside the wonderful voices of your community choir. Bring your family and friends to create lasting memories together!

February 7, 2026 – Voices of America: From Within and Afar
Experience a vibrant melting pot of music spanning 132 years, all composed in the United States. Delight in the lively rhythms of Grofé’s “Mississippi Suite” while being captivated by Dvořák’s monumental 9th Symphony, which honors both the New World and his Bohemian roots. Contemporary composers Valerie Coleman and Katie Jenkins contribute their reflections on resilience and longing, offering a poignant perspective on 21st-century America.

March 7, 2026 – Crossroads of Sound
Never been to Paris? No worries! Gershwin’s timeless masterpiece “An American in Paris” will transport you to the heart of France in no time. Come celebrate talented high school students as they perform with our musicians through the Side-by-Side Honors Program. Bartók’s last orchestral piece “Concerto for Orchestra,” which was premiered in the US, will take you on a journey through mesmerizing orchestral color and energy. And, of course, a performance featuring our annual Collegiate Concerto Competition winner is not to be missed!

March 28, 2026 – John Williams to Bernstein: Legends of Screen and Stage
Join us for an unforgettable evening where iconic film and musical scores come to life! Experience the thrilling compositions that have captivated audiences for generations, both at home and abroad. Don’t miss this celebration of legendary composers whose music defines America and continues to inspire and shape its culture. Wear your favorite costumes and bring your voices to sing along!

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and helped make our 76th Anniversary Spring Into Music Gala a truly memorable evening. The event was a beautiful celebration of community and the arts, showcasing Butler County’s strong dedication to cultural enrichment.

Click here to view our full photo gallery.

Photos by Fred Vero Photography

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra (BCSO) is proud to announce the appointment of Moon Doh as its new Music Director. He was selected following an intensive two-year search and review, emerging from a field of over 150 applicants, representing 23 states and 11 countries. The appointment was unveiled at the BCSA Spring Gala on May 4, 2025.

Board President, Patricia Stagno stated, “We are eager for this new era with Moon Doh to begin. He brings an energy and unique programming ideas to the new season. His dedication to the community, culture, and education, will endear him to Butler and the surround area. Our musicians, board, and patrons, anticipate a long and rewarding partnership with Maestro Doh on the podium.”

Moon Doh comes to Butler County from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO), where he has served as Associate Conductor since 2021. In Pittsburgh, he has gained a reputation for dynamic musicianship and innovative programming: he conducted a broad range of concerts, including sold-out performances with pop icon Sting. Doh is also known as an “active community builder”; for example, he has presented Beethoven string quartets in neighborhood libraries, hosted informal “Discovery & Drinks” music talks in local breweries, and led interactive children’s concerts at the Children’s MuseumLab in partnership with author Mo Willems. These projects reflect Doh’s emphasis on outreach and education, bringing orchestral music to new audiences. Click here to read Moon Doh’s full bio.

“A conductor should first and foremost be a part of the community,” says Doh. “I’m thrilled to lead the talented musicians of the Butler County Symphony Orchestra and to collaborate with its dedicated leadership team. Together, we will work to create a welcoming space for the Butler community and the greater Western Pennsylvania region – a space where music, culture, and meaningful human connections can flourish. This vision will guide me as I begin this exciting journey.”

Prior to his Pittsburgh appointment, Doh was Artistic Director and Conductor of the Flora Symphony Orchestra in Cologne, Germany. There, he initiated the ensemble’s first-ever live-stream concert series, reaching audiences across the globe, and led three full subscription seasons. He also partnered closely with local music educators to give young students hands-on orchestral experiences. His leadership in Cologne was widely praised for expanding the orchestra’s reach and fostering community engagement in classical music.

As a guest conductor, Moon Doh has led numerous orchestras across Europe and the United States, including the WDR Funkhausorchester and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, among others. He earned his advanced orchestral conducting degrees at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf in Germany, and he received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from Sahmyook University in Korea. In addition, he holds a B.A. in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins University.

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra invites the community to celebrate this exciting new era. Maestro Doh will lead the Orchestra in its 2025–2026 season (the BCSO’s 77th), with all concerts beginning at 7:30 PM at the Butler Intermediate High School. Season tickets and single tickets will be available this summer at butlersymphony.org or through the BCSO office (724-283-1402). Join us as we welcome Moon Doh and look forward to a vibrant season of music under his artistic direction.