As it emerges from the debilitating effects of the pandemic, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra has a lot on its musical plate.
Anyone familiar with the orchestra shouldn’t be surprised. After all, the LSO has long been a vibrant, robust organization dedicated to serving greater Lancaster through world-class musical entertainment.
But there’s more going on here than just the organization getting busy and doing what it does. The LSO is staring down an important milestone in its storied history.
This current season marks the orchestra’s 75th anniversary. In addition, it is heading down the home stretch of a search process to identify a new conductor who will help shape the direction of the orchestra well into the future.
“I think, at the core of it, the message is that we’re back after a very difficult time for everyone,” said Guy McIntosh, the LSO’s executive director. “As a new Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, we’re kind of re-inventing the wheel.”
Touch Your Soul
Formed in 1946 by community leaders, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra presented its first concert a year later, within the confines of the McCaskey High School auditorium. Prior efforts to create a hometown orchestra had been derailed by two world wars and a national economic depression.
“Back then, Lancaster was a smaller community, and music was very important,” said McIntosh. “It was kind of people’s diversion.”
The LSO, he said, started as a community-based orchestra and included musicians who might have played in high school. Over time, it morphed into a professional organization with paid musicians. Today, the orchestra features an active roster of 50 to 80 local, regional and nationally recognized musicians.
“What people think of classical music is that it’s very high society,” said McIntosh, a 36-year-old Lancaster city resident. “A lot of people think symphony orchestras play this old music. That’s our fault. We’ve played into that mindset. But to me, that’s not what a symphony orchestra is. There’s music out there that can really touch your soul and take you on a journey.”
The symphony’s historic 75th annual season comes on the heels of a tumultuous 2020-21. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the LSO went 18 months without performing a live show, a forced year-and-a-half sabbatical from talented artists making beautiful music together. In September, the LSO finally re-opened live with the triumphant celebration, “The Return.”
“It was difficult for everyone,” McIntosh said. “But, if there was a silver lining, it was that we were able to hone in on what we do as an organization. The first one back in September, ‘The Return’ concert, was very emotional, just to see the audience again. If you’re playing for no one, there is no emotion to play off of. To not have that for 18 months was difficult. But it feels all that much better being back.”
More Inclusive
A key part of the new season is LSO’s highly anticipated holiday concert, “Sounds of the Season,” which takes place this month. Led by chorus master Bill Wright, it will feature an interaction between the chorus and orchestra that has become a favorite for all ages.
“It’s very family-oriented,” McIntosh said. “It features a wide range of holiday music, holiday favorites and Christmas carols. There’s also a special reading of ‘The Night Before Christmas.’”
Looking farther ahead, the LSO’s long search for a new conductor is nearing completion.
From 190 original applicants, the orchestra identified 30 possible candidates, a number that was then narrowed down to 10. Now all that remains are the final four—Jayce Ogren, Delta David Gier, Michael Butterman and Chelsea Gallo.
Each candidate will act as a guest conductor for a different concert performance in four different months during the 2021-22 season. From those concert showings, the LSO is expected to name a new permanent conductor in late spring of 2022, and, when it does, that person will become just their third music director ever.
“You could say it’s an audition,” said McIntosh. “After a final decision is made, an offer will be extended, and, hopefully, the offer is accepted.”
Part of the new conductor’s mission will be to reflect and represent the musical interests of an ever-changing Lancaster community.
“Art definitely has a role in our society, and I think music is one of the most important art forms,” McIntosh said. “It can spark a feeling in you that you can’t put a finger on. The emotion can be good or bad. All forms of music are alive and well. We need to be more inclusive in what we do and be a reflection of our community. That’s the future of where all classical music needs to be.”
The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra’s holiday concert, “Sounds of the Season,” takes place Dec. 17 and 18 at First Presbyterian Church, 140 E. Orange St., Lancaster. For more information, visit www.lancastersymphony.org.
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