The Side-by-Side Honors Symphony is a program offered to all high school students who are chosen by their teachers to play with the Butler County Symphony at the March 2nd Education Concert. Students will prepare a piece of music which will then be rehearsed with our Maestro and section leaders of the orchestra to prepare the students to perform “side by side” with members of the orchestra. Applications are available to teachers and must be submitted by January 15, 2024. Once the students are chosen, they will receive music and attend their first rehearsal with a guest conductor on February 6, 2024. They will attend 2 more rehearsals with the Orchestra the weekend of the Education Concert.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
Click here to apply to perform with the Butler County Symphony for our March concert. A teacher recommendation is required to complete the application.

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS:
Click here to recommend your high school-age students to participate in our Side-By-Side Honors Symphony so they can perform with the BCSO.

For more information on how to apply, please reach out to education@butlersymphony.org.

If you are ready to join our family, please send your resume and letter of interest to secretary@butlersymphony.org or mail to The Butler County Symphony Orchestra, 259 South Main Street, Butler, PA 16001.

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra has been in existence since 1949 providing live symphonic and classical music entertainment to its audiences, as well as, providing educational outreach to its surrounding communities.

Are you a highly qualified musician ready to make your mark in the world of music? We’re thrilled to announce the auditions for the 2023-24 season with the BCSO! Use this link to find out more.

Listen in as Butler County Symphony Musical Director Matthew Kraemer, discusses our upcoming concert entitled, “The Golden Age of Hollywood,” on Saturday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m. The program includes scores from film classics by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Max Steiner, Franz Waxman, and Miklos Rosza, plus Henry Mancini’s Moon River. Matthew Kraemer runs down the delights of the concert and shares his plans for New Orleans in this conversation with Jim Cunningham.

Listen now: https://bit.ly/3UhHtQH

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Adam M. Janssen, Trombone. Learn more about Adam here.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Christina Sanzotti Savannah, Bassoon. Learn more about Christina here.

Please note our new hours of operation. For deliveries outside these hours, please go to GVLAW next door and ask for Paula or call 724-996-5824.

Monday: 10 am – 2pm
Tuesday: 10 am – 2pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 10 am – 2pm
Friday: 10 am – 2pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Thank you!

We hope so. If not, please watch now. Join us for our “The Golden Age of Hollywood,” Butler County Symphony concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 8. We will celebrate the iconic composers who shaped Hollywood’s Golden Age. Musical selections include music from Academy Award-winning classics “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Captain Blood,” “High Noon,” “Gone with the Wind,” “Vertigo,” “Ben Hur,” and much more.

All performances are held at the Butler Intermediate High School: 551 Fairground Hill Rd., Butler, PA, 16001. Questions? Please call us at (724) 283-1402.

PURCHASE TICKETS

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Sasha Shapiro, Principal Viola. Learn more about Sasha here.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Christie Kecskemethy, Principal Violin II. Learn more about Christie here.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on 2023 Collegiate Competition winner Thomas Bachert, an alto saxophonist and aspiring young music educator from Pittsburgh. He is a graduate of North Hills High School and attends Slippery Rock University for degrees in saxophone performance and music education. He is active in various organizations, including the university wind and jazz ensemble. Bachert recently performed with his saxophone quartet and the ARC Quartet at the International Saxophone Symposium in Fairfax, Virginia.

As a member of the Slippery Rock University Jazz Ensemble, he will be featured on commissioned recording projects at various jazz festivals in Italy and France scheduled for July this year. Our March 4 concert, “The Inextinguishable,” will be Bachert’s orchestral and soloist debut performing Jacques Ibert’s “Concerto da Camera.”

Purchase “The Inextinguishable” Tickets: https://bit.ly/40Feads

If you missed our Saturday concert, you can catch an encore of “Symphonic Dances” highlights in Monday’s Butler Eagle. As well as a tribute to Butler County Symphony Musical Conductor Matthew Kraemer.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Jaime Lachesky, Flute. Learn more about Jaime here.

If you missed our Saturday concert, you can catch an encore of “Symphonic Dances” highlights in Monday’s Butler Eagle. As well as a tribute to Butler County Symphony Musical Conductor Matthew Kraemer.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Fernando Almeida, Bass. Learn more about Fernando here.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s “Meet the Musicians Monday” spotlights guest cellist Nicholas Canellakis, who headlines our Feb. 4 “Symphonic Dances” concert. Learn more about Nicholas here.

The Butler County Symphony Musical Conductor Matthew Kraemer has accepted the music directorship of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in New Orleans beginning in September of 2023.  This is an exciting artistic career opportunity for Maestro Kraemer. It regrettably means however that he will be stepping down as the Butler County Symphony Orchestra Conductor at the end of the current season.

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra along with the Symphony Board of Directors, Symphony Association, and community will feel the loss of such a tremendously talented, and insightful individual. The Butler County Symphony wishes him well into the future as he continues to advance his career with this new and very exciting opportunity.

Matthew will continue to conduct the Butler County Symphony’s three remaining concerts this season which include Symphonic Dances on February 4^th, The Inextinguishable on March 4^th, and The Golden Age of Hollywood on April 8^th.

He also will be participating in a new and exciting joint effort between the Symphony and Butler Public Library. Symphony Storytime featuring Maestro Kraemer reading and discussing concert themed children’s stories centered toward area youth each Saturday morning at the Butler Public Library the day of the Symphony concerts.

Maestro Matthew Kraemer’s leadership and musical influence will continue into the 2023-2024 season.  His artistic planning will feature guest conductors that include Moon Doh and Andres Cardenes among others, including a special encore concert featuring Matthew Kraemer!

The Butler County Symphony Association will begin the search for a conductor in the future.

The BCSA Outstanding Music Educator Award brings attention to the excellent and impactful work of a music teacher (past or present) in Butler County.

Take a minute to fill out the form: https://bit.ly/3R4n2Vr

This award is open to current and former educators in Butler County who teach/taught in public, private, or parochial schools, kindergarten through college. Teachers in after-school, private studios, or other educational settings are not eligible.

Nominations are due February 15, 2023, and the winner will be honored on April 8, 2023, at the BCSO concert at Butler Intermediate High School.

Please note that the number of nominations a teacher receives is not taken into account during the evaluation process.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Carrie Walsh Erdely, Violin. Learn more about Carrie here.

11 am, Saturday, February 4. 2023

Families with children in preschool to grade 3 are invited to attend a very special storytime. We will be joined by a special guest, Maestro Matthew Kramer, as he shares a story and activities related to music and dancing.

This program is presented in partnership with the Butler County Symphony Orchestra.

For more information, contact Ms. Tiffany at tharkleroad@bcfls.org.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Vincent Leung, Cellist. Learn more about Vincent here.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on McKenzie Holt, Violin. Learn more about McKenzie here.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Carrie Yamamoto, Violin. Learn more about Carrie here.

Looking for a gift for music lovers that hits just the right note? Support the Butler County Symphony Orchestra and shop our brand-new online store! Click here to shop now!

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Kimberly Lamb Winfield, Oboe. Learn more about Kimberly here.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Michael Gelfand, Cello. Learn more about Michael here.

We are sorry for the inconvenience, but our office will be closed for the remainder of this week. We will reopen at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 12.

St Luke’s students sent this thank you sign to our orchestra! The BCSO completed its 2022 Educational Concert Series the first week of November. Twenty-five musicians traveled to several Butler County schools to perform a program designed to enlighten children as to what an orchestra is all about. This program is offered free of charge to any Butler County school and is funded by kind donors who believe in music education.

The BCSA Outstanding Music Educator Award brings attention to the excellent and impactful work of a music teacher (past or present) in Butler County. Take a minute to fill out our form. This award is open to current and former educators in Butler County who teach/taught in public, private, or parochial schools, kindergarten through college. Teachers in after-school, private studios, or other educational settings are not eligible.

Nominations are due February 15, 2023, and the winner will be honored on April 8, 2023, at the BCSO concert at Butler Intermediate High School.

Nomination Form Link: https://bit.ly/3tJIxA4

We hope so. If not, please watch now. And we hope you will join us for our “Holiday Traditions,” a special Butler County Symphony concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Bring the family and share your holiday season with the Butler County Symphony and special guests. Celebrate by joining us in a traditional carol sing-along!

All performances are held at the Butler Intermediate High School: 551 Fairground Hill Rd., Butler, PA, 16001. Questions? Please call us at (724) 283-1402. Tickets link: https://butlersymphony.org/concerts/holidaytraditions/

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Ella Hickey, Violin I. Learn more about Ella here.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Jason Venesky, Tuba. Learn more about Jason here.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Julia Poetain, Violin. Learn more about Julia here.

Listen in as Composer Reinaldo Moya and Butler County Symphony Musical Director Matthew Kraemer discuss our concert “Voices of Nature,” held on Saturday, Nov. 5th. This concert featured the 2nd world premiere of Moya’s Dark Earth: Anthropogenic Amazon.

Want some special inside information about the November and December concerts? Check out this episode of Armstrong The Butler Buzz featuring our Executive Director, John Furman.

Each week, we spotlight one of our talented musicians in our “Meet the Musicians Monday” series, a chance to toot our own horn about our skilled music-makers. This week’s musician spotlight is on Gino Faraci, Bass. Learn more about Gino here.

Relive our inaugural first free summer concert, An Evening of Patriotic Songs Under the Stars, performed on June 30, 2022, at the Cranberry Township Community Park. Enjoy an encore evening of music on WQED FM 89.3 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. this Friday evening as the Butler County Symphony plays such patriotic classics as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “1812 Overture,” and “Victory at Sea.”

Tune in on the radio or use this link Friday to listen online: https://bit.ly/3gaE3yY

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra partnered with HM3 Partner in Celebrity Care Fest 2022 on Saturday, July 23rd at 5 pm. Our symphony members played backup for Queen V, Lou Gramm, founding member of Foreigner, and the world-famous Jacksons. The Temptations also performed.

Click here to read more about this amazing event in the recent Cranberry  Eagle article.

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra presents a semi-staged production of “Guys & Dolls” on April 10th. WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham spoke with the Orchestra’s conductor Matthew Kraemer about the production in this Carnegie Museum of Art “Voice of the Arts” podcast.

Click here to listen now!

A big thank you to the Butler Buzz for hosting our Executive Director, John Furman, to share how the Butler County Symphony Orchestra continues to play a critical role in the promotion of musical arts in the community. Click here to watch the interview now.

Our Young Artists Competition winner is Emma Kim, a pianist. She will play the 1st movement of Prokofiev’s Piano concerto No. 3, Op. 26 in C Major on March 5, 2022, at 7:30 pm.

Emma is 17, has played piano since age 5, and has studied with Dr. Marina Lupinacci since age 9. She is currently a senior at North Hills High School. Emma has been a Steinway Society Young Artist for the past eight years, was selected as Pittsburgh Concert Society Young Artist, was awarded Penn State Marian García Competition second prize, and is this year’s PYSO Concerto Competition winner, amongst others. She plays piano for the North Hills Jazz Band and is also captain of the NH Girls Varsity Tennis Team.

The Butler County Symphony Orchestra conducted by Matthew Kraemer presents Mozart’s 40th Symphony, with music by Ginastera and Gabriela Lena Frank – Saturday night at the Butler Intermediate High School at 7:30 pm. Executive Director John Furman joins Jim Cunningham and Matthew to talk about the special features of the concert, the great strides the orchestra has made in the past ten years, and where to get a good meal in Butler. Original airdate: Nov 4, 2021

Click here to listen now.

Please enjoy our previous virtual concert performed in the beautiful, historic Scottish Rites Cathedral in New Castle. This is a sample of what will be featured during our Scottish Reverie on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. We hope you will join us! Click here to get tickets now! You can view the full program here.

Be sure to join us on Nov. 21st at 7pm via Facebook, YouTube or our website for the premiere of “All Baroque.”

This virtual program is being presented for free and features a chamber version of your Butler County Symphony Orchestra performing works by Bach, Corelli, Handel and Pachelbel.
This performance will also be aired on Armstrong Neighborhood Channel 10 on Nov 23, 25, 27 and 29 at 1am, Noon and 9pm.

Even in the midst of a pandemic, it is our mission to continue to safely provide music and music education to the Butler County Community and beyond, whatever the format may be.

Concert Features New, Known Works

BRAVO! Read all that Leanne Heaton, Butler Eagle Correspondent, had to say about our Saturday concert! Did you join us for our evening of Wolfgang Mozart, Gabriela Frank, and Alberto Ginastera? If so, please add your own voice to an encore of applause by sharing your review and positive notes about the Butler County Symphony Orchestra.

Click here for the article link.

Kyle Chastulik (IUP)

Kalista Heidkamp (SRU)

The College Division Concerto Competition, sponsored by the Butler County Symphony Association, will be held digitally this year due to an abundance of caution surrounding Covid-19. Musicians will submit a video audition for our judges, and there will be winners from three categories (vocal, instrumental, and piano) who will each receive the opportunity to have their concerto recorded by a professional videographer and featured on the Butler County Symphony Orchestra website and social media pages. One overall winner will be selected to receive an additional monetary award of $400.

Competition Timeline:
-Application deadline: Saturday, March 27, 2021
-Winners Announced: Monday, April 12, 2021
-Arrangements for recording will need to be made with the videographer and selected winners
-Overall Winner will receive $400 prize at their recording session

For more information, or to fill an application, go to https://www.butlersymphony.org/concerto-competitions

A Brass Quintet from your Butler County Symphony Orchestra performs various holiday classics in this virtual performance.

Thank you to all of our sponsors of the 2020-2021 concert season for keeping the music playing in Butler County Symphony Orchestra!

Maestro Matthew Kraemer is coming to you straight from his home to announce the 2020-2021 Butler County Symphony Orchestra Concert Season! This season is structured differently due to these uncertain times and will start in November of 2020. We will be doing all that we can to make the concert experience safe and enjoyable for all of our patrons, musicians, and volunteers. Brochures will be sent out next week (June 1 – 5) and season subscription renewals will begin the following week.

Current subscriber renewals: June 8th – June 26th
New subscriber period: June 29th – July 17th
All tickets on sale: July 20th