Youngstown Symphony Will Return for Fall Season

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra will return for the 2021-22 season with an eight-concert series with performances at Powers Auditorium, the Ford Family Recital Hall and Stambaugh Auditorium.
The YSO was forced to cancel the 2020-21 season because of the pandemic.

In August of 2020, the YSO was dealt a blow when Randall Craig Fleischer, its conductor and music director, died suddenly. The pandemic put on hold any effort to find his replacement.

For the upcoming season, guest conductors will be brought on helm the concerts.

In December, the Youngstown Symphony Society entered into an arrangement under which Stambaugh Auditorium will manage and operate the DeYor Performing Arts Center, home of Powers and Ford hall, and the YSO’s longtime home. The society owns the DeYor center.

One result of the new management arrangement is that concerts could take place in historic Stambaugh, which has outstanding acoustic qualities. That will happen this season in October.

Details about the programs for each concert are still being finalized, said Stambaugh spokesperson Jamie Marshall. The classical concerts will take place at Ford hall, with pops performances at Powers and Stambaugh.

Sunday, Thursday and Friday concerts are also being introduced this season. Past YSO concerts were normally on Saturdays.

Here is a look at the season:

Both season ticket packages and single concert tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. July 30 at the DeYor box office by calling 330 259 9651; and the Stambaugh box office by calling 330 259 0555. Tickets can also be purchased at either box office on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

• Sept. 19 (Sunday), at Powers Auditorium with guest conductor Miriam Burns, director of orchestras at Ohio State University, 4 p.m.
• Oct. 17 (Sunday), a Stambaugh Auditorium, featuring guest artist Scott Dettra on the pipe organ and guest conductor John Varineau of the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Symphony, 4 p.m.
• Dec. 10 (Friday), at Powers Auditorium, a holiday show with guest pianist Jim Brickman, 7:30 p.m.
• Jan. 16 (Sunday), at Ford hall, with guest conductor Miriam Burns, 4 p.m.
• Feb. 4 (Friday) at Powers Auditorium, with guest conductor Carl Topilow of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, with the theme “Broadway and Beyond, 7:30 p.m.
• March 10 (Thursday), at Stambaugh Auditorium, with guest conductor Andre Raphel of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m.
• April 10 (Sunday), at Ford hall, conductor to be determined, 4 p.m.
• May 7 (Saturday), at Stambaugh Auditorium, conductor to be announced, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets can also be purchased at YoungstownSymphony.com, DeyorPAC.org, and StambaughAuditorium.com.

Single concert tickets will range from $42 to $62, inclusive of all fees.

Season sponsorship packages are available and include program advertising, premium tickets for each performance and invitations to exclusive VIP events. For information, contact JoAnn Stock at fundraising@youngstownsymphony.com or by calling 330-744-4269.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.