The Williamsport Symphony Orchestra is proud to announce the joint classical concert for the Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings conducted by Dr. William Ciabattari and Ms. Danielle Fassnacht. The event will be in Williamsport at the Community Arts Center on Sunday, March 4 at 4:00 PM. The concert is free and open to the public. The repertoire includes Entrance of the Queen of Sheba, Procession of the Sardar, West Side Story Selections, Funeral March by Grieg, and much more.

The Williamsport Symphony Youth Orchestra (WSYO) embraces students from throughout central Pennsylvania. Walter Straiton founded WSYO while a faculty member in the Williamsport Area School District. He served as the WSYO Director until 1993, at which point Richard Coulter; a WASD Music Supervisor took over in 2006. Then, the baton shifted to several directors including Christopher Para, Jeff Tedford, Jennifer Sacher Wiley, and Dr. Eric Hinton. This year marks Dr. William Ciabattari’s 6th year leading the orchestra. Dr. Ciabattari is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Ensembles at Lycoming College. The student musicians audition for the WSYO.

The Williamsport Symphony Junior Strings (WSJS) program was created in the fall of 2012 and offers education in orchestral ensemble playing to young string players. It is open to string students in middle school and advanced elementary school. Ms. Fassnacht is the orchestra director at Lycoming Valley Intermediate School in the Williamsport Area School District.

We know that music education provides lifelong benefits that go beyond the discipline required. The career, knowledge, social, and humanizing opportunities are key as is the impact on the community. The WSYO has proven to be an asset to the community and valuable resource/byproduct of the WSO.

For more information about the WSYO, please contact the WSO office at 570-322-0227 or email info@williamsportsymphony.org .