Symphony honored for community work
The Butler County Symphony Association on Wednesday collected the Butler County Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 Community Champion Award and then treated all those at the event to a lunchtime concert.
The annual award recognizes organizations that impact the community through projects and initiatives.
About 100 people gathered in Diamond Park downtown for the presentation.
Aubery Hulings, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors, highlighted the symphony association’s contributions to the community.
She said in addition to six concerts annually at the Butler Intermediate High School, association members and musicians participate in many educational activities, including the Young Artist Competition, the Young Musicians of Note program, and visiting and performing at schools.
“This orchestra is considered one of the finest regional professional orchestras,” she said.
Ed Wadding, president emeritus of the symphony board, accepted the award and thanked the chamber, sponsors and all those who have contributed to the symphony since it was established in 1949.
“There are many people who have stepped forward through the history of the symphony,” he said.
Maestro Matthew Kraemer, who has been the symphony’s conductor and music director since 2012, gave his appreciation and thanks.
“This is a great honor for our whole orchestra — for your orchestra,” he said.
“The orchestra is expanding its presence in the community,” he said.
“In addition to our six concerts, which feature a diverse repertoire, we’re also expanding into the realm of education extensively.
“Last year, we performed at all 11 Butler elementary schools for thousands of students at no cost, introducing classical music for the very first time to kindergartners through sixth grade,” he said.
“In November, we’ll be expanding our reach throughout Butler County, going to Karns City, Slippery Rock and down to Mars, bringing the sounds of the Butler County Symphony and making it known that our orchestra is our community’s orchestra,” he said.
“I have had the opportunity to conduct in many cities across the county, and I can honestly say Butler has an orchestra that rivals metropolitan areas much, much larger.”
Kraemer, who was joined by pianist Bryan Helsel, then went to the symphony’s office on South Main Street next to Diamond Park and performed selections from composers Antonin Dvorak, George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein.
The standing room-only performance was piped through the speakers in the park for the rest of the luncheon attendees.
Chamber staff and board members select each year’s recipient. This year’s award is the 13th annual.
Luncheon sponsors were NexTier Bank, the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, and Kenmac Rentals & Sales. Minuteman Press designed the award.
