Symphony's 60th season will sparkle
Sparkling with memories and angling for its best year yet, the Butler County Symphony Orchestra begins its "Diamond Jubilee" season with the October concert.
The orchestra, under the direction of conductor Elisabeth Heath Charles, will open its 60th season with "Hometown Gems" at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11 in the auditorium of the Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill Road.
The earlier start time — previously evening concerts began at 8 p.m. — is in response to what concert goers want.
"We took a survey, and that's what people said they wanted," said Harry Savisky, marketing chairman for the symphony association, the group that runs the symphony.
Also new this season is the November show, traditionally a family concert with a shortened program. The November concert will still be known as the Family Pops Concert, but it will be full-length and part of the regular subscription series, Savisky said.
"We thought we'd try it and see how it works," he said.
Additionally, the 60th season will see special collaborations with other arts groups in the county. For instance, during some concerts, Butler County libraries, the Associated Artists of Butler County and the Butler County Historical Society will set up displays. For others, the Musical Theatre Guild singers will perform.Beyond the unique programs and soloists planned for each concert, the crowning jewel of the season is a collaboration with Drew Fennell of the Freeport area.A flugelhorn/trumpet/cornet player, singer and conductor, Fennell will provide a selection for each concert. For some shows, the symphony will perform a Fennell composition or arrangement, but for the April concert, Fennell is preparing a new composition."It adds interest for the musicians, too, playing something new," said longtime symphony member Charles Norton.Amazingly, Norton has been a musician with the group since its inception 60 years ago. He played in the initial concert in 1950 of the then-named Butler Orchestral Association, which had been formed in 1949.Norton, a clarinetist, joined the Butler orchestra fresh from graduation from Mars High School. He still lives in Mars."I had just graduated and was starting at Carnegie Tech when I was invited ... to be in the symphony," Norton recalled. "I played all those years except when I was in the (military) service."
He played clarinet and some saxophone with the Army's 25th Infantry Division band in Hawaii."I'm just happy to be playing this year," said the 78-year-old Norton. "It's going to be an exciting year. Also, I'm the chairman of the program committee (choosing the music), so I'm committed to seeing how it turns out."There are not too many towns that have supported a symphony, particularly for 60 years," he said. "It's really a credit to Butler County and the people of Butler County who have supported the symphony and come to the concerts. We seem to have good audiences who enjoy the concerts."For more information, call 724-283-1402 or visit the Web site, www.butlersymphony.org.
<B>Who: </B>Butler County Symphony Orchestra<B>What: </B>"Hometown Gems" concert, first show of new "Diamond Jubilee" season<B>When: </B>8 p. m. Oct. 11<B>Where: </B>Butler Intermediate High School auditorium<B>Tickets: </B>For adults, $15 in advance or $18 at the door; students pay $5.Information: 724-283-1402
