Program booklet for the Greenville Symphony Orchestra's 98th season opening concert on October 10, 2026 at Thiel College. The concert celebrates America's 250th birthday with patriotic works by Sousa, Gershwin, Berlin and others, performed with the ACTS singers. Includes the full concert program with musical selections, conductor Michael Gelfand's welcome message, orchestra roster, donor…
This is the official concert program booklet for the Greenville Symphony Orchestra's 98th season opening concert, held on Saturday October 10 2026 at the William A Passavant Center on Thiel College campus in Greenville Pennsylvania. The concert titled Celebrate 250 marks the 250th birthday of the United States. The document is intended for concert attendees and GSO supporters.
The program opens with the full concert repertoire list. It includes patriotic standards such as the Star Spangled Banner, Morton Gould's American Salute, a George M Cohan overture, Liberty for All narrated by Alan Anderson, and Gershwin's works including Rhapsody in Blue. The ACTS Performing Arts Center singers perform throughout the concert. An intermission separates the first half from the second half which includes Ferde Grofe's On the Trail and a Salute to the Armed Forces arranged in 2025.
Conductor and music director Michael Gelfand contributes a welcome message. He notes this is his 25th season leading the GSO and thanks the musicians singers volunteers board and audience. He announces three upcoming 98th season concerts: Holiday Magic on December 12 2026, Heroes Villains Sorcerers Wizards and Aliens on February 13 2027, and Dance Passion and Triumph on April 17 2027.
A biography details Gelfand's career as a conductor and cellist. He studied at Indiana University the Cleveland Institute of Music and Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. He spent nearly forty years as a professor at Youngstown State University's Dana School of Music. He has served as Principal Cellist for the Youngstown Symphony Warren Philharmonic Opera Western Reserve and Cleveland Pops and has performed under Leonard Bernstein Seiji Ozawa and Lorin Maazel.
The orchestra personnel section lists all musicians by section: Violin I and II, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Percussion, Timpani, and Keyboard. The donor recognition section names Title Sponsors including Anderson Coach and Travel EmergyCare Greenville Savings Bank St Paul's Senior Living Community Thiel College and UPMC Horizon UPMC Jameson. It also lists Supporting Sponsors Chair Sponsors and patron levels from…
Biographies of featured performers include Alan J Anderson who has performed with the GSO for nearly 30 years and works as Senior Estimator for Maker Construction Corporation. Thomas Perman is President and Co Founder of ACTS with roles in many local theater productions. Dr Allan R Mosher retired from Youngstown State University where he was Professor of Voice for 29 years. Christina Russo is also featured as a soloist. The America250PA Mercer County Committee is acknowledged as a supporter.