Our Story

Since 1967 the Nittany Valley Symphony has been part of our community; giving opportunity for local musicians to perform music and for audiences to hear and enjoy. At the heart of the symphony is a group of dedicated musicians who are from the community. They are our friends and neighbors; homemakers, business operators, physicians, professors, students, retirees and many others whose interest in live music brought them together into a unique organization. What they have in common is the love of playing music.

While music brought them all together, there have been strong and lasting friendships established as well as the formation of many smaller musical ensembles to enrich the experience and opportunities of players.

The Symphony has grown from a small group gathered by the indomitable spirit of the late Ann Keller to perform at the first Arts Festival held in State College in 1967. In the early years performances were held in the State College High School Auditorium. The orchestra sometimes outnumbered the audience. But the music was good, the audience was loyal, and the players were getting better and better.

Now the Symphony plays in Eisenhower Auditorium where the stage is big enough to hold the size of the orchestra and the seating comfortably holds the audience. Many local business have stepped forward to help support the Symphony as they reach out into the community. There is now a professional conductor in Michael Jinbo and a full time executive director in Tere Rill.

The heart of the Nittany Valley Symphony is the same. A gathering of musicians, both amateur and professional, who love to play for a community in a community that loves to hear good classical music; a tradition in the community.