“The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra kicked off its annual fund drive at the Holiday Inn Johnstown-Downtown and announced a goal of raising $100,000,” writes Kelly Urban in Thursday’s (1/26) Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, PA). “Karen Azer, co-chairwoman of the fund drive … said with the addition of recently appointed music director James Blachly and newly hired executive director Michael Walther, the symphony has a revived energy…. In addition to supporting the JSO’s six-concert subscription series, the funds raised by the drive will support the JSO’s outreach initiatives including its Youth Orchestra, Inclined to Sing Children’s Chorus, adult chorus, Community Strings programs … Share-the-Music program [and] the Young People’s concerts … Blachy said moving forward the JSO has plans to expand its education program, grow the Pops series and bring back the 4th of July Concert. ‘We have new initiatives in the works for this season including a summer outdoor series and an innovative concert series for 20- to 40-year-olds and those young at heart,’ he said.” Says Azer, “As businesses are trying to attract additional businesses or individuals to locate here, it adds to the quality and cultural life of the community to say we have a symphony orchestra the quality of a large metropolitan city.”
Posted January 27, 2017
