8 — Arts Festival Instrument Petting Zoo, Sidney Friedman Park, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
9 — Arts Festival Music in Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St., State College. 1 p.m.: clarinet music by Brandy Davis; 3 p.m.: harp and flute music by Rebecca Richards and Cathy Herrera
10 — Arts Festival information booth, Allen Street across from Schlow Library, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
10 — Tapestry concert, Woskob Family Gallery, 146 S. Allen St., State College, 2:30 p.m.
11 — Arts Festival Music in Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St., State College.
1 p.m.: cello music by Carol and James Lyon; 3 p.m.: viola music by Nicole Felker
21 — Annual meeting. Details: email info@nvs.org.
August 2026
18 — Board meeting. Details: email info@nvs.org.
September 2026
15 — Board meeting. Details: email info@nvs.org.
20 — NVS concert, Dreams of the Forest, Bellefonte Area High School Auditorium, 3 p.m.
October 2026
18 — Tapestry concert, Woskob Family Gallery, 146 S. Allen St., State College, 3 p.m.
20 — Board meeting. Details: email info@nvs.org.
November 2026
12 — NVS concert, From the New World, Penn State Eisenhower Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
17 — Board meeting. Details: email info@nvs.org.
December 2026
13 — Candlelight Christmas Chamber Concert, Our Lady of Victory Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, 4 p.m.
January 2027
20 — Board meeting. Details: email info@nvs.org.
26 — NVS concert, Celestial Visions, Penn State Eisenhower Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
31 — Tapestry concert, Woskob Family Gallery, 146 S. Allen St., State College, 3 p.m.
February 2027
17 — Board meeting. Details: email info@nvs.org.
21 — NVS Family Concert, The Remarkable Farkle McBride, State College Area High School Performing Arts Center, 3 p.m.
March 2027
16 — Board meeting. Details: email info@nvs.org.
April 2027
4 — Tapestry concert, Woskob Family Gallery, 146 S. Allen St., State College, 3 p.m.
21 — Board meeting. Details: email info@nvs.org.
23 — NVS concert, Dreamers and Visionaries: 60th Anniversary Celebration, Penn State Eisenhower Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
May 2027
18 — Board meeting. Details: email info@nvs.org.
June 2027
15 — Board meeting. Details: email info@nvs.org.
More information about these events can be found inside this brochure, or by visiting our website at www.nvs.org/ online.
P.O. Box 1375
State College, PA 16804
Phone: 814-231-8224
www.nvs.org
Timothy Farrand
Music Director and Conductor
Rebecca Richards Executive Director
NVS Executive Board Members
Lisa A. Schroeder, President
Virginia Luehrsen, Vice President
Annemarie Mountz, Secretary
Roberta Strebel, Treasurer
Ellie Lewis, President Emerita
NVS Board Members
Jill Campbell
Ann Deighton
Kate Domico
Allen C. Jacobson
Tom Keiter
Anne Layng
Bev Molnar
Nancy VanLandingham
Patricia Weitzel
Cathy Herrera, Orchestra Representative
Kyle Siskron-Leonard, Orchestra Representative
Marie Sorensen, Orchestra Personnel Manager
Sue Stephenson, Orchestra Librarian
Thank you
Serving as the Executive Director of the Nittany Valley Symphony this past year has been a tremendous privilege. I want to thank everyone who supported NVS in any way. In particular, thank you to the many concertgoers who attended our performances and supported our musicians. Without an audience, there would be no symphony.
I also want to thank our generous donors who continue to invest in the arts. I believe that symphonic music is one of the few things that still brings people together in an increasingly divided world. That is a mission worthy of attention, support, and philanthropy.
At a time when community engagement is declining nationwide and many people report increased feelings of loneliness and isolation, organizations like NVS play an important role. I believe one of the Symphony’s greatest contributions is the sense of connection and belonging it provides to both our musicians and our audience. People leave our concerts not only inspired by the music but also reminded that they are part of a community. This sense of community would not be possible without the philanthropic support that sustains it.
As we celebrate 60 years of music-making, I am honored to help lead an organization that means so much to so many. Thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to the next 60 years!
Rebecca Richards Executive Director, Nittany Valley Symphony
Pam Aikey
John Balogh & Annemarie Mountz
Jill Campbell
The Nittany Valley Symphony would like to recognize individuals who have sponsored various elements of our 60th Anniversary season. This support enables us to celebrate our milestone in many different ways. Individuals who have have made a 60th Anniversary donation are:
Allen & Nancy Jacobson
Virginia Luehrsen
Bev Molnar
Roberta Strebel
Nancy VanLandingham
Patricia Weitzel
It’s not too late to make a 60th Anniversary sponsorship donation. For details, contact Executive Director Rebecca Richards at info@nvs.org or calling 814-231-8224.
President’s Message
Welcome to a truly special season as we begin celebrating the 60th Anniversary of our Nittany Valley Symphony (NVS)!
This milestone is more than a marker of time — it is a tribute to six decades of orchestral music-making, friendship, dedication, and shared cultural life here in Central Pennsylvania.
For 60 seasons (minus the COVID years), this orchestra has brought people together through the power of live symphonic music.
What began as a bold vision by committed community members has grown into a lasting artistic institution — one that has enriched lives, inspired young musicians, and created meaningful connections across generations.
We honor everyone who has been part of our NVS journey: our musicians, music directors, executive directors, staff, board members, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and loyal audience members whose belief in this orchestra has sustained it through the years.
As we open this “Diamond Anniversary” season, we celebrate not only our history and endurance, but also our vibrant future ahead of us. Our NVS concerts, tapestry series, and outreach programs reflect the heart of who we are: a community brought together by excellence, passion, and a deep belief that music matters.
Whether you have been with us for years or are joining us for the first time, we are delighted to share this season with you.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for being part of this remarkable musical legacy. Your enthusiasm and support make our work possible, and your presence gives our performances life and meaning.
We invite you to celebrate with us as we honor our past, embrace the present, and look ahead with joy to all that is still to come.
Lisa A. Schroeder President, Board of Directors
Nittany Valley Symphony
About the Nittany Valley Symphony
The Nittany Valley Symphony is a community orchestra organized in 1967 by Ann Keller of State College, PA, to perform at the first Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. The symphony has performed every year since then, with the exception of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, which were canceled due to the COVID pandemic.
Our mission is to inspire and enrich our diverse community through live concerts of the highest-caliber symphonic music performed by professional and amateur musicians. Those interested in an active role supporting our symphony can learn about serving on our volunteer board of directors at www.nvs.org/board on our website.
Our musicians come from all walks of life. While our “day jobs” may include everything from real estate agents to professors to small business owners to artists, we all share a love of creating beautiful music. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are longstanding fundamental values of the Nittany Valley Symphony. We strive to actively incorporate these values into our organization through our musicians, board, associated activities, music selections and our marketing efforts, which are focused on a variety of diverse audiences. We actively foster an environment of respect and belonging for musicians, board members, and members of the communities we serve.
Concert Venues
Bellefonte Area High School
830 East Bishop St., Bellefonte
State College Area High School 650 Westerly Pkwy., State College
Penn State Eisenhower Auditorium
102 Eisenhower Rd., University Park
Ticket Information
Tickets to Nittany Valley Symphony concerts are $30 for adults and $5 for students, and may be purchased in advance by going to our website at www.nvs.org/concerts or using the camera app on your smartphone to scan the QR code to the right. Tickets also may be purchased at the door on the day of the concert. For season subscription information, please see page 23.
A look back at our 2025-26 season
Romance and Reverie, Sept. 21, 2025; Midsummer Night’s Dream, Nov. 16, 2025; Carnival of the Animals, Feb. 22, 2026; America at 250, March 19, 2026; and Hearts on Fire, May 1, 2026.
Nov. 16, 2025
Nov. 16, 2025
Nov. 16, 2025
Sept. 21, 2025
Sept.21, 2025
March 19, 2026
Feb. 22, 2026
Photos: Annemarie Mountz
Feb. 22, 2026
May 1, 2026
May 1, 2026
May 1, 2026
March 19, 2026
March 19, 2026
Feb. 22, 2026
Meet our Principal Musicians
Visit www.nvs.org/nvsmusicians to view short video biographies of some of our principal musicians.
Principals
1st Violin: Sally Williams Minnich (Concertmaster)
2nd Violin: Emily Long
Viola: Matthew Kumjian
Violoncello: Katie Van Varick
Double Bass: Jordan Askew
Flute: Cathy Herrera
Oboe: Barry Kroeker
Clarinet: Brandy Davis
Bassoon: Trina Gallup
Horn: Kathryn Beck
Trumpet: Herb McKinstry
Tuba: Kevin Freeman Jr.
Timpani: Kyle Haust
Oboe — Barry Kroeker
Clarinet — Brandy Davis
Flute — Cathy Herrera
2nd Violin — Emily Long
Trumpet — Herb McKinstry
Double Bass —Jordan Askew
Horn — Kathryn Beck
Tuba — Kevin Freeman Jr. Timpani — Kyle Haust
Concertmaster — Sally Williams Minnich
Bassoon — Trina Gallup
Message from the Maestro
A Diamond Anniversary: 60 Years of Music
Welcome to the Nittany Valley Symphony’s 60th Anniversary Season!
For six decades, this orchestra has been bringing musicians and audiences together. What began as a dream has grown into a vibrant tradition of community-centered music-making that enriches our region through artistry, education, and collaboration. As we celebrate this milestone season, we honor that legacy and look toward the future. This year’s programs celebrate the remarkable musicians who bring this orchestra to life. Across the season, every section of the orchestra will be highlighted, showcasing the unique voices that create the symphonic experience. Audiences who join us throughout the year will encounter the full range of what a symphony orchestra can do, from intimate solo voices and chamber-like textures to moments of overwhelming power and grandeur. Our season features masterpieces from across the symphonic repertoire that celebrate the artistry of our incredible musicians. I designed these programs with the orchestra’s history in mind, bringing back composers who have been important to both the symphonic tradition and the Nittany Valley Symphony itself, while discovering a few new gems along the way.
We are excited to welcome back pianist Steven Smith for the 45th anniversary of his first appearance with the orchestra to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death.
Our season concludes with a program titled Dreamers and Visionaries, honoring the dreamers, leaders, musicians, volunteers, patrons, and audiences whose vision has sustained the Nittany Valley Symphony for 60 years.
Thank you for being part of our story. We look forward to celebrating with you this season!
Timothy Farrand NVS Music Director and Conductor
Dreams of the Forest
3:00 p.m. Sunday, September 20, 2026
Bellefonte Area High School Auditorium
Debussy, Claude Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun (1862-1918)
Sibelius, Jean The Wood Nymph (1865-1957)
Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 3 in F Major (1833-1897)
Dreams of the Forest opens the Nittany Valley Symphony’s 60th Anniversary Season with an afternoon of music inspired by forests, folklore, and imagination.
From the sensual dreamscape of Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, through the dark Nordic storytelling of Sibelius’ The Wood Nymph, to the autumnal warmth and emotional depth of Brahms’ Symphony No. 3, the program explores the many ways composers have transformed the natural world into music of mystery, longing, and reflection.
Both intimate and cinematic in scale, Dreams of the Forest invites audiences into a world where landscapes become emotional journeys and orchestral music becomes a space for escape and wonder.
From the New World
7:30 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 2026
Penn State Eisenhower Auditorium
Rachmaninoff, Sergei Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor (1873-1943)
Ian Duh, piano soloist
Dvořák, Antonín Symphony No. 9 in E Minor (1841-1904) “From the New World”
Extending our celebration of America at 250, From the New World brings together two of the most beloved works in orchestral music by composers whose lives were transformed by their time in the United States.
Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, performed by Ian Duh in his Nittany Valley Symphony solo debut, moves from darkness into hard-won optimism, combining emotional depth with staggering virtuosity.
Dvořák’s iconic “New World” Symphony captures the beauty and spirit of America in symphonic form, blending influences from African American spirituals and Native American musical traditions encountered during his stay in the United States into a work of sweeping lyricism and unforgettable melodies.
Filled with soaring melodies and staggering orchestral power, From the New World invites audiences into an evening shaped by discovery, beauty, and wonder.
Celestial Visions
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2027
Penn State Eisenhower Auditorium
Beethoven, Ludwig van Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major (1770-1827)
Steven Herbert Smith, piano soloist
Mahler, Gustav Symphony No. 4 in G Major (1860-1911)
Rachel Copeland, soprano soloist
Celestial Visions features two luminous masterpieces of the Romantic tradition in a program centered on wonder, humanity, and transcendence.
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 breathes fresh light on the concerto form by transforming it into an intimate and deeply poetic dialogue between soloist and orchestra.
Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 reimagines the symphony itself, unfolding as a journey from earthly life toward a child’s vision of heaven.
Blending pastoral beauty, humor, and innocence with experiences of the sublime, the work culminates in a radiant finale for soprano and orchestra, dissolving the traditional boundary between symphony and song.
Steven Smith returns to celebrate the 45th anniversary of his first performance with NVS, revisiting the concerto that marked his debut with the orchestra in honor of the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death in 2027.
Family Concert: The Remarkable Farkle
McBride
3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 21, 2027
State College Area High School Performing Arts Center
Side by Side Collaboration with State College Area High School Strings
2026 Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition Winner
Elliott, Bill The Remarkable Farkle McBride by John Lithgow (1951-)
Jill Campbell, narrator
The Remarkable Farkle McBride invites audiences of all ages to discover the instruments of the symphony orchestra in a fun-filled musical adventure for the whole family.
Based on John Lithgow’s beloved children’s book and brought to life through Bill Elliott’s colorful musical adaptation, this narrated story follows the journey of a young musical prodigy who, one by one, learns to play every instrument in the orchestra before discovering his true calling as a conductor. The program will also feature the winner of the Nittany Valley Symphony’s 2026 Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition and a side-by-side collaboration with the State College Area High School orchestra.
This one-hour concert celebrates the joy of music-making through an engaging introduction to the orchestra and the remarkable musicians who bring it to life.
Dreamers and Visionaries: 60th Anniversary Celebration
7:30 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2027
Penn State Eisenhower Auditorium
Strauss, Richard Don Quixote (1864-1949)
Ben Deighton, cello soloist
Featuring Tim Deighton on viola
Archer, Violet Poem for Orchestra (1913-2000)
Wagner, Richard Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde (1813-1883)
Our 60th Anniversary Season concludes with Dreamers and Visionaries, a program that celebrates imagination and ambition through music inspired by those who dare to pursue worlds beyond ordinary reality.
Strauss’ Don Quixote brings Cervantes’ legendary dreamer vividly to life in an exciting musical quest filled with humor, humanity, and misadventure.
Ben Deighton (Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition Winner, 2017 and 2019) returns as the cello soloist representing the title character, joined by his father, violist Tim Deighton, who accompanies him on his musical journey representing the faithful Sancho Panza.
The program concludes with Wagner’s Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde, a work of overwhelming emotional intensity that moves from yearning and desire toward transcendence and release.
Together, these works create a journey through fantasy and passion, celebrating dreamers in all their forms, from literary figures to those who sustain an organization such as NVS for 60 wonderful years of musicmaking.
NVS Tapestry Chamber Series at the
The Nittany Valley Symphony and the NVS Board are excited to present another season of Tapestry Chamber Series concerts in our beautiful performance home, the Woskob Family Gallery.
Tapestry events feature small-group performances by musicians who are connected with the Nittany Valley Symphony. They provide an opportunity for audience members to meet and spend time with some of our musicians in this smaller setting, as well as having the opportunity to engage in discussion with them during a post-performance talkback.
Tapestry events for the 2026-27 season
Oct. 18 • Jan. 31 • April 4 • July 9
All events will be held at 3 p.m. in the Woskob Family Gallery at the Penn State Downtown Theatre Center, 146 S. Allen St., State College. Program details will be shared closer to each performance.
Photos: Annemarie Mountz
NVS Education and Outreach initiatives
The Education and Outreach Committee is an arm of the Nittany Valley Symphony (NVS) Board of Directors. Its mission is to develop and implement educational programs that afford K-12 students opportunities to experience and participate in the making of classical music.
String orchestra musicians from the Nittany Valley Symphony, Bellefonte Area High School, and the Penn State String Quartet performed together as part of our N.O.T.E.S. Program in mid-May. Special thanks to Bellefonte Area High School Conductor Aaron Decker, and to St. John’s United Church of Christ for hosting this premier performance.
During our 2026-27 season we will be reaching out to the school districts that provide venues for our concerts — State College and Bellefonte — to collaborate on programs aimed at bringing classical music to young audiences. Our annual Family Concert will be presented Feb. 21, 2027, at the State College Area High School Performing Arts Center. As has become our NVS tradition, the opening piece of music will include about 40 musicians from the State College High School Advanced String Players performing alongside Nittany Valley Symphony musicians.
During the month prior to the production, students from elementary and middle schools will be offered read-aloud experiences and art projects built around our main work, John Lithgow’s book The Remarkable Farkle McBride. On the day of the concert, this piece will be performed by the full orchestra playing Bill Elliott’s musical adaptation along with a narration of the book.
In addition, the Education & Outreach Committee as part of its N.O.T.E.S. (Nurturing Orchestral Talent in Educational Settings) Program, plans to organize a musical event to include Bellefonte Area High School students in an ensemble group side-by-side with NVS musicians. This performance will be held in mid-May 2027. Last year’s program included music from the Bellefonte High School string repertoire, a mother/daughter duet, a Penn State Graduate Student String Quartet, and a classical offering from the NVS.
Photo by Lisa A. Schroeder
Dining to Donate
Enjoy delicious meals at a variety of restaurants, and help support your Nittany Valley Symphony!
This concert season, we plan to partner with a variety of local restaurants to hold regular fundraising dinners, and we invite you to join us.
These fundraiser dinners are a very popular way for people to support their favorite organizations, and we have held them a few times during previous seasons. This year, we plan to hold them more regularly, and at a variety of dining establishments.
As we have more information about dates and locations, we’ll share it widely.
Don’t miss out! Be sure to get information about our upcoming dining events and other information.
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/NVSymphony
Follow our Instagram: @nittanyvalleysymphony
Sign up for our email newsletter: email us at info@nvs.org to be added to our email list.
Community Outreach
The Nittany Valley Symphony has a long tradition of fundraising through “Angel” flower sales – poinsettias in December and geraniums in May.
Patrons purchase the plants, which then are delivered to care facilities and other nonprofit organizations, providing good will and cheer to our senior citizen community.
“For our clients — many of whom are homebound — the holidays can feel especially difficult. When our volunteers arrive with the plants we see their eyes light up with real joy at the door,” said Bobbie Salvaterra from Meals on Wheels.
In December, 2025, NVS volunteers delivered 900 poinsettia plants to Centre Region senior care facilities.
Following the arrival of the poinsettias, staff from Eagle Valley Personal Care shared, “when the plants arrive, the whole atmosphere changes. Our resident’s faces really light up when they see them. The vibrant colors fill our common areas and dining rooms, transforming them into festive and cheerful spaces.”
“I love when the flowers arrive. ... It’s nice how they bring decoration and love to the tables, with blooms that last so long.”
—
Senior resident
In May 2026, we delivered roughly 700 red geraniums to our senior community. Plant recipients include Arista/Hearthside, Celebration Villa, Centre Care Rehabilitation, Centre Home Care, Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Eagle Valley Personal Care, Foxdale Village, Greenhills Village, Harmony, Juniper Village, Meals on Wheels, State College Food Bank, The Village at Penn State, and Wynwood House.
Our flowers are grown by Frysville Farms, a family-owned Pennsylvania business founded in 1783 and now nine generations strong.
Photo: Annemarie Mountz
Pam Aikey spearheaded our flower fundraising events this past season.
Photo: Simon Fry
NVS Board members gathered to deliver poinsettias in December 2025.
Thank you to our corporate and community partners
The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau is your gateway to unforgettable experiences in Centre County, PA. As the official Destination Marketing Organization for this vibrant region, we’re dedicated to showcasing all that #HappyValleyPA has to offer. Learn more: happyvalley.com/
Foxdale Village is a leader in aging services known for its vibrant and innovative approaches to enhancing quality of life in our community.
Learn more: www.foxdalevillage.org/
We’re doctors, nurses, researchers, cheerleaders. As residents of rural and urban Pennsylvania, we care for our patients, our members and our Geisinger family. Learn more: www.geisinger.org/about-geisinger
The Nittany Valley Symphony is grateful to all donors who give during Centre Gives each year, and for the stretch pool funds provided by Centre Foundation and the Hamer Foundation. Learn more: centregives.org/
The vision of The M&T Charitable Foundation is to partner with communities to impact equitable change. Learn more: www.mtb.com/about-us/getting-involved/ giving-back/charitable-foundation
Confer’s Jewlers started in 1977 in Potters Mills, PA, by Monte and Brenda Confer. Their daughter Montica and her husband Dan now run the store, which moved to Bellefonte in 1985. They value their customers, friends, and community, and give back to many causes. Learn more: www.confersjewelers.com/
Support the Symphony
The Nittany Valley Symphony (NVS) is a nonprofit symphonic orchestra receiving partial funding from private foundations, businesses, individual donors, and grants. Special thanks go to the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts) and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Please consider joining our family of supporters to keep programming high and ticket prices low.
Donation Levels
Maestro’s Circle ($8,000 or more): Includes 16 complimentary tickets.
Encore Circle ($4,000-$7,999): Includes 16 complimentary tickets.
Orchestra Partner ($1,000-$3,999): Includes 16 complimentary tickets.
Honorary Conductor ($750-$999): Includes 12 complimentary tickets.
Benefactor ($500-$749): Includes 8 complimentary tickets.
Associate ($200-$499): Includes 4 complimentary tickets.
Patron ($100-$199): Includes recognition in all concert programs.
Specific Sponsorships
Maestro Chair Sponsor ($6,000): This sponsorship provides partial funding for our Maestro.
Season Sponsor ($5,000): Sponsors provide vital support that sustains all NVS performances.
Concert Sponsor ($4,000): Sponsors select a concert during the season to support and help fund the artistic and production costs associated with that performance.
Orchestra Section Sponsor ($3,000): Sponsors select a section to support and help fund the musicians and musical resources associated with that section throughout the season.
Concertmaster Chair Sponsor ($4,500): This sponsorship is used to sponsor our concertmaster.
Principal Chair Sponsor ($2,000): Our chair sponsorship program is used to sponsor the principal musician of a specific section of the orchestra.
Additional Player Sponsor ($1,500): This sponsorship enables NVS to pay specific sponsored players who are not section principals.
N.O.T.E.S. Program Sponsor ($500): This sponsorship helps to support NVS education outreach activities.
Ann Keller Young Soloist Sponsor ($1,000): This sponsorship supports our annual competition, which attracts extremely talented students from area high schools. The winner is asked to perform with the Symphony at the Family Concert.
To support the Symphony, please contact the NVS office at 814-231-8224, donate securely on our website at www.nvs.org/support or use the camera app on your smartphone to scan the QR code to the right.
Name Address
Season Ticket Subscription Form
PLEASE NOTE:
Tickets are distributed electronically via email. Please ensure your email address is correct on this form so we can deliver your tickets to you.
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Season Tickets
Purchasing season tickets locks in last year’s ticket prices, saving you $5 per ticket.
Any donation of $200 or more (above the cost of the tickets being purchased) entitles you to additional benefits. Please check page 22 for details.
