Butler Symphony enriches
For nearly 75 years the Butler County Symphony Orchestra has served the local community with a professional level of musical excellence and accomplishment.
Having the Butler symphony or BCSO as part of our community enriches us with more than just great music. Music triggers the brain to make you feel good, puts you in a happy mood, and increases your mental well-being. Music can bring together different cultures in our communities while sharing the same interests.
The power of music cannot be denied. There is ample evidence of how music adds vibrancy to communities, engages the brain, strengthens the sense of belonging and connection with others. The BCSO is not an amateur orchestra. All musicians are paid professionals.
During the summer months, residents of Butler can sit in Diamond Park during their lunch hour and hear free concerts being performed at the symphony office on Main Street.
Our concert season for 2022-2023 features music for everyone. From Broadway to Beethoven, from holiday music to Ravel, and with a stop in Hollywood, each season of the symphony is carefully crafted to appeal to every musical taste.
The BCSO has a mission to bring classical music to everyone through a variety of educational initiatives. Our programs include the Educational Outreach Concert Series, an assembly program that teaches students about a specific aspect of music. A small group of orchestra members travels to local schools with Maestro Matthew Kraemer to teach and entertain at no charge to the schools.
Our Side-by-Side Concert, the Young Musicians of Note Program, the Orchestra Partnership Program, and the Collegiate Concerto Competition, all aim to foster a love of music and to provide opportunities for young musicians to celebrate their accomplishments.
Local chambers of commerce and Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau often promote the fact that the BCSO can help to attract people to visit or to move here. Businesses that want to attract capable and smart employees often choose Butler County because of the variety of cultural opportunities.
The BCSO works to strengthen and build relationships with local businesses and corporations. Companies and businesses have the ability, through sponsorship, advertising, and participation to grow and expose their businesses to the local communities.
By supporting our local businesses, the BCSO encourages our members and concert attendees to patronize our local business partners. This amplifies the community and helps to build a strong future for Butler and surrounding communities.
In reaching out to residents of Butler County, the BCSO has a goal of making beautiful music accessible to everyone. Instead of traveling all the distance to Pittsburgh and paying $20 or more for parking, all our concerts are held locally, at the Butler Intermediate School and parking is FREE!
Some folks may think that symphony concerts are formal affairs, and the audience is required to wear coats and ties and formal wear. Our patrons are encouraged to be comfortable, sit-back and relax, and enjoy world-class music.
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra creates a magical world of music that will inspire and entertain all. So, “Let Us Amaze You!” at the BCSO.
John Furman is executive director of the Butler County Symphony Orchestra.
