{"id":112008,"date":"2026-02-12T13:15:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:15:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/112008\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T13:15:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T13:15:15","slug":"a-preview-of-allentown-symphony-orchestras-76th-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/112008\/","title":{"rendered":"A preview of Allentown Symphony Orchestra’s 76th season"},"content":{"rendered":"

American classics and favorite works by classical composers \u2014 including one rarely performed in its totality \u2014 are highlights of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra\u2019s upcoming 76th season.<\/p>\n

The season will be special in other ways, as well: Each concert will feature a female composer and it\u2019s the final full season for conductor and musical director Diane Wittry, who\u2019s announced plans to step down<\/a> starting at the end of 2027 after 33 years, the longest tenure in the orchestra\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer legacy will be a legacy of growth and taking this organization and the greater Lehigh Valley to new heights with music,\u201d said Al Jacobsen, executive director of the Allentown Symphony Association. \u201cDiane\u2019s tenure almost directly mirrors the overall growth in live performance offerings in the Lehigh Valley. There\u2019s so much we have in the Lehigh Valley today that did not exist.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DianeDiane Wittry will step down as musical director and composer for the Allentown Symphony Orchestra starting at the end of the year. (Contributed photo)<\/p>\n

Subscriptions are available now for the season, with single tickets on sale Aug. 3.<\/p>\n

The Pops Season begins Sept. 26 at Miller Symphony Hall with the Great American Swing Book, featuring vocalist Dee Daniels in a tribute to swing-era legends including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole.<\/p>\n

The first concert of the Classical Series follows Oct. 10 and 11 with \u201cFire & Passion,\u201d featuring Prokofiev\u2019s Piano Concerto No. 3, performed by acclaimed pianist Joyce Yang; and Brahms\u2019 Symphony No. 1. The concert also will be the Pennsylvania premiere for \u201cCan(n)ons of Freedom,\u201d a new work by Chris Brubeck, son of renowned jazz musician Dave Brubeck.<\/p>\n

In a nod to the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary, each concert will feature at least one American composer, and, Wittry promised, plenty of surprises.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think I\u2019ve developed a reputation that people will always be surprised at something,\u201d she said. \u201cThere will always be something new and fresh, so people come to see what\u2019s going to happen at the concert.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other highlights of the season include:<\/p>\n

Saint-Saens\u2019 Organ Symphony on Nov. 7 and 8, featuring internationally celebrated organist Paul Jacobs in partnership with Lehigh Valley-based Allen Organ Co. In addition to Saint-Saens\u2019 iconic work, the concert also will include Richard Strauss\u2019 vivid tone poem \u201cDon Juan\u201d and Steven Paulus\u2019 Grand Concerto No. 3 for Organ and Orchestra.
\nHoliday Pops on Dec. 19 featuring seasonal favorites, sparkling orchestral arrangements and joyful surprises for audiences of all ages. A guest vocalist will join the orchestra to perform classic holiday songs alongside symphonic renditions.
\nCountry Hits: Songs of Nashville on Jan. 23 features songs from classic country artists including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and others who define country music.
\nStravinsky\u2019s \u201cFirebird Suite,\u201d performed in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet on Feb. 13 and 14, 2027. Also on the program is the Pennsylvania premiere of \u201cOde to Carmen Miranda\u201d by the symphony\u2019s composer-in-residence Clarice Assad. The winner of the 2026 Schadt String Competition also will take the stage with their winning violin concerto.
\nShe\u2019s Got Soul: Whitney Houston, Adele and More, on March 13, 2027, features vocal powerhouse Capathia Jenkins performing songs from legendary artists including Houston, Adele, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan.
\nMozart\u2019s 40th Symphony on April 10 and 11, 2027. In addition to Mozart\u2019s famous symphony, the concert will\u00a0 feature \u201cOverture (Sinfonia) in C Major\u201d by Marianna Martines, an overlooked female composer and a contemporary of both Mozart and Haydn. The Allentown Symphony Chorus will join the orchestra for Moren Lauridsen\u2019s \u201cLux Aeterna.\u201d
\nHolst\u2019s \u201cThe Planets\u201d: One of the most popular works of orchestral music, the full piece hasn\u2019t been performed by the orchestra since 2012, Jacobsen said. It will return May 22 and 23, 2027. It will be played with a film backdrop and, for the final movement, \u201cNeptune,\u201d the women of the Allentown Symphony Chorus. The concert opens with Richard Strauss\u2019 \u201cFanfare\u201d from \u201cAlso sprach Zarathustra.\u201d
\nRock Legends: Queen and Journey on July 17, 2027. The Pops Series concludes with a mix of arena-rock anthems, with the addition of Jeans \u2018n\u2019 Classics musicians and a chorus.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The always popular Holiday Pops seasonal concert will return to Miller Symphony Hall on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, in Allentown. (Marco Calderon)\n<\/p>\n

\"Allentown<\/p>\n

Allentown Symphony Orchestra will kick off its 76th season in October with a concert series that includes American composers, female composers and classical favorites. (Bill Basta)\n<\/p>\n

\"Allentown<\/p>\n

Allentown Symphony Orchestra will kick off its 76th season in October with a concert series that includes American composers, female composers and classical favorites. (Bill Basta)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The always popular Holiday Pops seasonal concert will return to Miller Symphony Hall on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, in Allentown. (Marco Calderon)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The always popular Holiday Pops seasonal concert will return to Miller Symphony Hall on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, in Allentown. (Marco Calderon)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The always popular Holiday Pops seasonal concert will return to Miller Symphony Hall on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, in Allentown. (Marco Calderon)\n<\/p>\n

\"Allentown<\/p>\n

Allentown Symphony Orchestra will kick off its 76th season in October with a concert series that includes American composers, female composers and classical favorites. (Bill Basta)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 7<\/p>\n

The always popular Holiday Pops seasonal concert will return to Miller Symphony Hall on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026, in Allentown. (Marco Calderon)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople in our area have different interests and are motivated by different things,\u201d Wittry said. \u201cWe want to make sure we were eclectic in the types of concerts we present, to appeal and grow the audience. Always backed up by our phenomenal orchestra.\u201d<\/p>\n

Said Jacobsen: \u201cThere\u2019s a lot to be excited about.\u201d<\/p>\n

Subscriptions for the upcoming season and single tickets for current and upcoming shows of the 75th season and the Jazz Upstairs series are available at MillerSymphonyHall.org<\/a>, or call the box office at 610-432-6715.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A look at Allentown Symphony Orchestra\u2019s 75th season<\/p>\n

Classical series<\/p>\n

Saturday concerts are at 7:30 p.m. Sunday concerts are at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

Fire & Passion: Prokofiev & Brahms, Oct. 10 and 11<\/p>\n

Saint-Sa\u00ebns\u2019 Organ Symphony, Nov. 7 and 8<\/p>\n

Stravinsky\u2019s Firebird, Feb. 13 and 14, 2027<\/p>\n

Mozart\u2019s Symphony No. 40, April 10 and 11, 2027<\/p>\n

Holst\u2019s The Planets, May 22 & 23, 2027<\/p>\n

Pops series<\/p>\n

The Great American Swing Book, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26<\/p>\n

Holiday Pops, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19.<\/p>\n

Country Hits: Songs of Nashville, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23<\/p>\n

She\u2019s Got Soul: Whitney Houston, Adele and More, 2 and 7:30 p.m. March 13, 2027<\/p>\n

Rock Legends: Queen and Journey, 2 and 7:30 p.m. July 17, 2027<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"American classics and favorite works by classical composers \u2014 including one rarely performed in its totality \u2014 are…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":112009,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[153,155,154,1681,1213,289,432],"class_list":["post-112008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-bethlehem","tag-bethlehem","tag-bethlehem-headlines","tag-bethlehem-news","tag-entertainment","tag-music-and-concerts","tag-things-to-do","tag-top-stories-tmc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=112008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/112008\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/112009"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=112008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=112008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=112008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}