Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra

HSO Presents:
The Season of the Maestro
by Jenna Barnaby

Music enriches the spirit. When you read that sentence and you learn that this is an article about the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, maybe you roll your eyes and think, "I can’t stand classical music. That’s not the only kind of music that enriches the spirit." You can’t argue, though, that classical music has been around a long time and is here to stay — especially if the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra (HSO) has anything to do with it. They are on a mission this year. Maybe you haven’t heard that they are conducting a search for a new musical director/conductor. But that isn’t their real mission. The HSO wants you, whoever you are, to come to their concerts.

This year the HSO will have five guest conductors auditioning to lead your — yes, your — orchestra. Harrisburg-ers should understand that the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra belongs to them. Communication with the community tops the list of required skills and abilities for the position of musical director.

Sure, each one is a fine musician, an artist. That’s almost a given. However, Rodney Sawatsky, chair of the search committee, wants a musical director who, "… will be a resource person for the community … communicating, educating, and integrating a larger group of people into the classical tradition."

Why is it important for members of the Harrisburg community to go to the symphony, let alone even have one? It’s a fair question. Did you know that every city with a pro or semi-pro baseball team had a symphony orchestra first? Before the New York Yankees there was the New York Philharmonic, before the Senators there was the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. The symphony celebrates its 70th year this season. Why?

Stuart Weiser, managing director for the HSO answers the "why" question in many ways. He believes that any performing arts "… help to define a community’s unique identity … it is important for any community, especially one the size of Harrisburg, to have a strong cultural scene and artistic awareness." Weiser also names economic reasons for a local orchestra. "People want something to do besides watching TV or going to the movies. Corporations consider the availability of cultural events in their decision to relocate. They want a community to provide things their employees will take advantage of."

Sometimes there is nothing on TV, and you don’t want to see any of the movies playing at the theater. How many times have you heard the phrase: "There’s nothing to do here." Well, next time, answer back with, "Have you ever tried the symphony, even once?"

The HSO has dubbed this year, "The Season of the Maestro." The orchestra operates four different programs: The Masterworks Series, Super Pops, the Family Series, and the Young People’s Concerts. The five candidates for new musical director will conduct the first five Masterworks events. On October 23rd and 24th, Raymond Harvey will lead your orchestra in Finlandia by Sibelius, Piano Concerto No. 1 by Chopin, and Symphony No. 3 (Scottish) by Mendelssohn. This concert will also feature Fabio Bidini on piano.

Now if that doesn’t mean anything to you, don’t worry. It may sound cliché, but there really is something for everyone at the orchestra. Should you already enjoy classical music or wish to jump right in whole hog, attend a Masterworks concert. If you aren’t too sure about classical music, or even whether you’re going to enjoy the symphony, try Super Pops.

Think of Super Pops as the classical version of a cover band. They play a lot of music from the twentieth century. It’s the kind of stuff that raises your spirits with hoopla, showmanship, glitz, and fun — perfect for both summer picnics and winter pick-me-ups. Keith Brion serves as the first full-time conductor of Harrisburg Super Pops. Known for his portrayal of John Philip Sousa, he specializes in light music concerts as well as bringing a wealth of knowledge in musical history to the stage.

Maybe you have kids. If so, get them to the symphony early with the Family Concert Series. You’re not too late to get tickets ($40 each adult, $15 for the first two children, $12 each additional children) for HSO’s Symphonic "Spook-tacular." On October 17 at 3:00p, Raymond Harvey will lead the HSO performance of "spooky" music, skeletons, witches, and toy soldiers. Come dressed up for the costume contest … dress the kids, too!

Along with the Halloween concert, the Family Series will do an Amadeus program with an actor portraying Wolfgang A. Mozart, and an April Fool’s concert that promises some surprises. In addition, the other two candidates will each lead a Young Person’s Concert.

All of this takes place at The Forum. What’s that you say? Why doesn’t our orchestra play in the illustrious Whitaker Center? Well, truth be told, there isn’t enough room. Cathy Aumiller, public relations coordinator, told me that the HSO could and has filled The Forum at 1,700 seats. Your orchestra isn’t some rinky-dink operation, Harrisburg!

Professional musicians travel from the pits of Broadway and the ranks of the U.S. Marine Corps Band. Thirty or forty people might audition for a single chair. HSO has its pick of fine artists. Musicians work at their craft longer than doctors do. They might pick up an instrument around the age of five, and practice into their young adult years before landing a paying gig. The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra boasts a surprisingly good reputation which stems partly from the talent playing, and attracts even more impressive artists.

HSO attracts fantastic guest soloists, too. Some of the names appearing in the past included the Trapp Family Singers, Nadia Sonnenberg, Yitzak Pearlman, James Galloway, and YoYo Ma. This level of excellence allows the HSO to choose the best in conductor candidates before opening the final choice to the citizens of Harrisburg themselves, when every audience member at a Masterworks series will rate the candidate conductor. The HSO cannot stress enough their desire to get all of Harrisburg to the symphony. By choosing a conductor who entertains and who creates a bridge between the orchestra and the audience, perhaps they will touch on a personality to serve as a focal point for the community’s attention.

Some people get just as excited for their conductor as they do for their favorite actor or athlete. Who knows, maybe you’ll try a Masterworks concert. You fill out the rate card and you think, "Hey, not so bad. Let’s see the next one." Before you know it, maybe you can count yourself among those who have rated all of the candidates. After which Sawatsky and his pals pick your favorite one. Can you picture yourself saying, "Yeah, our director could conduct the pants off that Keith Lockhart. Poor Boston, Lockhart and the Sox, ha!" Then you could spit or stick your nose in the air, whatever symphony toughs do in these boasting situations.

What’s it all mean? Go to a concert! Give it a chance. As Sawatsky says, "We believe deeply in sharing the beauty and wonders of great music that has stood the test of time … making that available to the present generation simply enriches the quality of life." Every new experience broadens the scope of your world. You have only to try one concert, and then you can make any judgment you like.

Stuart Weiser says, "We want to have the best symphony orchestra that we can for the citizens of and visitors to Central PA. Our orchestra belongs to the community. Our job is to give back what it needs and wants from the cornerstone performing arts organization in Harrisburg."

Call The Box at 717-214-2787 or go down to Strawberry Square in person. Tell them you want tickets to the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. Tell them you want Masterworks, Family Series or Super Pops. Remember that for everything you enjoy, everything you love, there was a first time.

The HSO wants to be your first.