The Butler County Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Elisabeth Heath Charles, will open its 60th season with the first of six concerts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in the auditorium of Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill Road.

Three subscription plans are available:

• Plus — six concerts for $75

• Basic — any five concerts for $65

• Mini — any four concerts for $60.

Seats are reserved and subscriptions are available at the symphony office, 259 S. Main St. Individual concert tickets will be available after Sept. 15.

Season highlights for the themed year, "A Diamond Jubilee," are:

• "Hometown Gems" with Butler native and internationally acclaimed French horn player William Purvis, Oct. 11

• "Generational Gems," a Family Pops concert with Michael Miles with his banjo, guitar and vocals, Nov. 8

• "Holiday Gems" with the Hill Youth Chorale, radio personality Bob Cupp, and holiday music including a singalong, Dec. 6

• "Romantic Gems," a program with the Butler Musical Theatre Guild singers performing love songs and selections from Richard Rodgers' Broadway shows, Feb. 14

• "Treasured Gems," featuring the winner of the 30th Annual Young Artist Competition, March 14

• "Facet-natin' Gems," with pianist Leon Bates in performances of music by Ravel and Duke Ellington (a diamond bracelet valued at $3,500 will be raffled), April 25.

For more information, call the symphony association office at 724-283-1402 or visit the Web site, www.butlersymphony.org.