Extending our celebration of America at 250, From the New World pairs Rachmaninoff’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring soloist Ian Duh, with Dvořák’s iconic “New World” Symphony. Experience an evening of soaring melodies, emotional depth, and extraordinary orchestral power.
The Nittany Valley Symphony and Orpheus Singers are thrilled to come together for a special Christmas concert featuring Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity. Presented by candlelight, this intimate collaboration brings orchestra and voices together to celebrate the wonder and beauty of the Christmas season.
Celestial Visions pairs Beethoven’s intimate and poetic Piano Concerto No. 4 with Mahler’s radiant Symphony No. 4, a journey from earthly life to a child’s vision of heaven. Pianist Steven Herbert Smith returns 45 years after his NVS debut, joined by soprano Rachel Copeland for Mahler’s luminous finale.
Our Tapestry Series features small chamber ensembles made up of NVS musicians, giving audiences the opportunity to experience our orchestra on a more intimate scale. Presented in relaxed, informal settings, these performances offer a closer connection to the musicians and the music.
Program and featured musicians will be announced soon.
The Remarkable Farkle McBride brings John Lithgow’s beloved story to life in a fun-filled musical adventure introducing audiences of all ages to the instruments of the orchestra. This one-hour family concert also features the winner of the 2026 Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition and a side-by-side performance with the State College Area High School orchestra.
Our Tapestry Series features small chamber ensembles made up of NVS musicians, giving audiences the opportunity to experience our orchestra on a more intimate scale. Presented in relaxed, informal settings, these performances offer a closer connection to the musicians and the music.
This performance will showcase the Allegria String Quartet, which includes NVS Concertmaster Sally Williams Minnich.
Dreamers and Visionaries concludes NVS’s 60th Anniversary Season with a journey through imagination, adventure, and passion. Strauss’ Don Quixote features cellist Ben Deighton alongside his father, violist Tim Deighton, while Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde brings the season to a powerful close with music of yearning and transcendence.
Join the Nittany Valley Symphony for the first Tapestry Series performance of the year! Our first performance features the Allegheny Winds, whose members are longtime Nittany Valley Symphony musicians with decades of professional performance experience. They are active orchestral and chamber musicians throughout Central Pennsylvania, as well as experienced private instrumental teachers.
Prélude à l'Après-midi d'un faune — Claude Debussy
The Wood Nymph — Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 3 — Johannes Brahms (all four movements)
Join the Nittany Valley Symphony Board of Directors as we celebrate the beginning of our 60th Anniversary Season! Please RSVP at this link: RSVP Link
Join NVS cellist, Carol Lyon, and her husband, Jim Lyon (violinist) for background music in the Schlow Library on Saturday, July 11 at 1:00 p.m.
The Herrera -Register Duo is delighted to present a program filled with Musical Stories. Featuring NVS musicians Cathy Herrera on flute and Brent Register on both English horn and guitar, the audience will be treated to pieces that explore the colors of sound of the three instruments and include poetry, the spoken word or a backstory serving as inspiration.
Join NVS Principal Flutist, Cathy Herrera, and harpist Rebecca Richards, for background music in the Schlow Library on Thursday, July 9 at 3:00 p.m.
Brandy Davis will be providing background music for the art display in the Schlow Library on Thursday, July 9 at 1:00 p.m.
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.
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
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.
Romantic tragedy, lyrical beauty, and the triumph of spirit.
Celebrating American music in its most iconic forms: jazz, film music, and the symphonic tradition.
Tickets are now available for purchase on Eisenhower’s website:
A celebration of rising talent and musical imagination.
A journey through music, movement, and Midsummer mischief, featuring Mendelssohn’s beloved score and scenes from Shakespeare’s play.
From garden paths to desert legends, a journey through scent, song, and story.
