The Butler County Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Elisabeth Heath-Charles, will open its 60th season with a concert on Oct. 11 in the auditorium at Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill Road.

Throughout the diamond anniversary season, audiences will enjoy original works by Composer of the Year Drew Fennell of Freeport.

Concerts for the 2008-09 season themed "A Diamond Jubilee" will feature:

• "Hometown Gems" on Oct. 11.

Butler native William Purvis, who plays the French horn, renowned in the U.S. and abroad as a soloist, chamber musician, conductor and educator, will be the soloist, as well as guest conductor for one selection.

• "Generational Gems" on Nov. 8.

For this Family Pops Concert, the orchestra will play all kinds of music: big band, tunes of the 1950s, television music and music from the video game "Halo." Michael Miles, with his banjo, guitar and vocals, will share his zeal for music with all generations, performing classic banjo, fiddle tunes, and Beatles-era music. New this year, this full-length concert will be offered as a part of the subscription series.

• "Holiday Gems" on Dec. 6.

The classic story 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' will be narrated by Bob Cupp. The Hill Youth Chorale, directed by Kathy Sawyer, will perform, and the popular audience sing-along will include holiday favorites.

• "Romantic Gems" on Feb. 14.

The orchestra will celebrate famous lovers with help from the Musical Theatre Guild Singers with vocal soloists singing an original arrangement of the world's great love songs, and selections from Richard Rodgers' Broadway shows. Photos by Phil Norton will depict the changing seasons.

• "Treasured Gems" on March 14.

The Young Artist Competition winner will perform. The competition will be held at the Succop Theatre on the BC3 campus. As an added attraction, it will be open free to the public in January with the date to be announced.

• "Facet-natin Gems" on April 25.

Leon Bates, pianist, will return after 10 years to help celebrate the anniversary season. His Butler performances will include compositions by Ravel and Duke Ellington. The orchestra will premiere a composition by Drew Fennell.

New for the 2008-09 season will be all concerts starting at 7:30 p.m.

Also, the Family Pops Concert, which in the past has been a short with no intermission, will be a full concert.

Subscribers will have the option of choosing one of three subscription plans: four, five or six concert packages, and will be able to pay with credit cards. Gift cards will be available.

Last year's subscribers can renew their reserved seats during July. New subscribers will be able to buy season tickets after Aug. 1. Individual concert tickets will go on sale Sept. 15.

For more information, call the symphony association office at 724-283-1402 or visit the Web site at www.butlersymphony.org. The symphony office is at 259 S. Main St.