Educational programming has long been a priority of the Nittany Valley Symphony. Each year, the symphony presents multiple “side-by-side” performances with local high school ensembles, giving student musicians the opportunity to perform alongside professional symphony members.

Our next collaboration features students from Bellefonte Area High School performing with the Nittany Valley Symphony Selected Strings and the Bellefonte High School String Orchestra. The program will include works for string ensemble, string quartet, and violin duet.

The performance will be held on Sunday, May 17 at 3:00 p.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Bellefonte. This event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided.

The Nittany Valley Symphony will participate in this year’s Nittany Performing Arts Center Showcase, held in place of the Penns Woods Arts Festival. NVS will perform from 1:00–1:45 PM, featuring a variety of ensemble and solo performances by NVS musicians.

The program will include:

• A brass quintet, organized by Herb McKinstry

• Flute, harp, and vocal performances by Rebecca Richards (harp), Cathy Herrera (flute), and Virginia Luehrsen (voice)

• A violin duet featuring NVS concertmaster Sally Williams Minnich and her husband, Mark

The Nittany Valley Symphony will host a musical “petting zoo” during Children and Youth Day at the annual Arts Fest, in partnership with the Music Academy. Bring a child or young person to explore instruments firsthand and experience the joy of making music for the very first time.

Promotional materials celebrating our 60th anniversary season will also be available.