Orchestra

In 1929, the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra was founded by a small group of local musicians who organized an ensemble in the face of the Great Depression. Supported by the Johnstown Recreation Commission and the surrounding communities, the JSO developed into a strong community orchestra despite small budgets and the onset of World War II. When NBC showcased the orchestra on a radio broadcast in 1939, the JSO was hailed as one of the finest independent orchestras in the eastern United States.

In 1958, the JSO established the Symphony Chorus, the Youth Symphony and the Symphony Auxiliary, a corps of volunteers, which has since added a branch in Somerset County. In the early 1960s, community support from individuals and businesses surged.

In 1984, the JSO welcomed the arrival of internationally acclaimed conductor Maestro Istvan Jaray to the podium. He has now completed 27 seasons as the Music Director. His dynamic leadership has brought the JSO to the rank of a high-quality metropolitan orchestra.

Today, the Johnstown Symphony presents a seven-concert core subscription series, pops concerts, a Christmas concert and touring concerts throughout the Western Pennsylvania region. The JSO also offers two back-to-back Young Peoples Concerts for grade school students and has performed the Indiana Symphony Series, which consisted of five concerts, repeating the Johnstown Symphony Series. In addition, the JSO performs a free 4th of July pops concert for the general public.

In 1992, the symphony moved to a new performance hall which was built to be the official home of the JSO - The Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, located on the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus.