Mission & History
It is the mission of the Allentown Symphony Association to support a first class symphony orchestra, to maintain an historic performance hall, and to offer to the community quality programs of artistic and educational value.
In fulfilling its Mission, the Allentown Symphony Association embrac4es the diverse cultures it serves and is committed to an inclusive and equitable environment where every individual is respected and valued.
Miller Symphony Hall
One of Pennsylvania’s Most Beautiful Concert Halls.
Once the home of vaudeville, burlesque and Broadway-bound theatricals, Miller Symphony Hall has showcased the comedy of Bob Hope, George Burns and Gracie Allen, the magical voices of Johnny Mathis, Tony Bennett and Placido Domingo, the stirring marches of the Allentown Band, and the musical perfection of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra.
It began its life in the 1800’s as a large, three-story central marketplace. The building was converted to a theatre in 1899 by the renowned architect J.B. McElfatrick and renamed the Lyric. Today it is one of only a dozen of 200 McElfatrick prized ‘beaux arts’ theatres that have survived.
In 1953, with the help of Call-Chronicle newspaper owners Sam and Donald Miller, the Lyric was purchased by the Allentown Symphony Association (established in 1951) as a permanent home for its symphony orchestra, and re-christened Symphony Hall.
Since 1990, $12 million has been raised by the Allentown Symphony Association from public and private sources to renovate this elegant pre-1900’s theatre, a major accomplishment for any size community. Renovations continue to this day, with more plans for future projects that are essential to future progress.
In 2012, it was renamed Miller Symphony Hall in honor of the family who saved it and who continue to support it today. The Hall has helped catalyze the redevelopment of Allentown’s urban core. As a multi-use performing arts center, it serves as a performance space for the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and a range of diverse artistic organizations that help create a vibrant community for all of us.
Serving as a cultural destination for the greater Lehigh Valley and beyond, Miller Symphony Hall is the Lehigh Valley’s premier performing arts center. We invite you to create some memories of your own at Miller Symphony Hall.
Allentown Symphony Orchestra
Each year, the ASO performs more than 20 classical, pops, educational, and family concerts. With passion and finesse, the Allentown Symphony, led by Music Director & Conductor Diane Wittry in her 30th season here, plays time-honored masterworks, newly commissioned world premieres, and intriguing repertoire, including works by prominent new composers.
Exciting world-class artists who have performed with the ASO include Midori, Emanuel Ax, Richard Stoltzman, Garrick Ohlsson, Angela Meade, and Peter Serkin, as well as jazz trumpeter Byron Stripling, saxophonist Branford Marsalis, and Broadway vocalist Christiane Noll. The orchestra’s classically trained musicians include players from the major urban centers of New York, Baltimore-D.C., and Philadelphia.
Music Director Diane Wittry, a California native, is known for her innovative programming style, using video, dancers, subtitles, and other visuals to create a true concert experience. She has been a stellar advocate for music education outreach for all ages and skill levels.
The ASO has received music commissioning grants from the National Endowment of the Arts, and from the League of American Orchestras in support of its El Sistema-inspired program for at-risk youth. The Symphony Association also biennially hosts the National Schadt String Competition which attracts top young performers from all over the world.
For its 75th season, the Allentown Symphony will continue its pursuit of excellence with passion, keeping alive the legacy of master works while bringing the works of modern masters to the concert stage for the enjoyment of our patrons.
Allentown Symphony Chorus
The Allentown Symphony Chorus was founded in 2011 as a professional, auditioned chorus to perform with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra once or twice a year. In previous years the Chorus has performed Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Carmina Burana, Mahler’s 2nd Symphony and the Verdi Requiem, among others. Chorus members are drawn from throughout the Lehigh Valley. The Chorus is comprised of approximately 50 voices and features paid Section Leaders and Assistant Section leaders, and a Scholarship Quartet drawn from area colleges and universities. The chorus is directed by Eduardo Azzatti.