Butler County fortunate to have its symphony orchestra
Butler County is lucky to have its own orchestra. It’s an organization we should treasure and do everything possible to support — particularly as it enters its 75th season.
The Butler County Symphony Orchestra kicked off this milestone season Saturday at the Butler Fairgrounds. The very special occasion featured a performance by Danny Seraphine, co-founder of the classic rock band Chicago. Seraphine, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, brought his “Take Me Back to Chicago Tour” to the show.
Before Seraphine took the stage, though, the orchestra was on full display with the jazz quartet opening the concert. Later the orchestra played selections that provided a preview of what’s ahead for the “Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles,” its next concert set for Oct. 7.
But the season-opening event was much more than a performance. It also featured activities for children and food trucks. About 275 tickets were sold in advance, and more were expected to attend.
Having an organization like the Butler County Symphony Orchestra is not something all counties can boast about. It takes time, commitment and money to run an orchestra.
We’re proud that Butler County has been able to maintain the orchestra. Places our size — and often larger — are not quite so fortunate. We hope that 25 years from now, we will be celebrating the group’s 100th anniversary.
A July 19, 2019, piece by the Washington Post looked at the announcement that National Philharmonic, a Maryland group, would be closing. The headline put it pretty bluntly: “People are upset when an orchestra closes. If only they went to the concerts.”
Unfortunately, it’s not the only orchestra that’s had a final curtain call in recent years.
Among the most notable symphonies to shutter its doors was the San Antonio Symphony last year.
Our take on the situation: Yes, Butler is fortunate, but the fact that we have a symphony orchestra cannot be taken for granted — not if we want to beat the odds.
Consider attending one of the group’s concerts. It’s 75th anniversary lineup is quite impressive.
The Oct. 7 concert will run from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill Road, Butler, with guest conductor Martin Herman and a number of guest artists.
Presale tickets cost $30 for adults and $10 for children and students. At the door, tickets cost $35 for adults and $12 for children and students.
— TL
