Altoona Symphony Orchestra Educational Outreach & Youth Orchestra

06/28/2026

Heading home after an amazing performance of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers with the Pittsburgh Symphony. The Pittsburgh Symphony is simply perfection! To top off the absolutely wonderful concert and day, Maestro Wicki came out and greeted us after the performance. He is such a sweet man! We cannot thank him enough for this kind gesture.

We are also very grateful to ARC Federal Credit Union for their generous donation that gave the AYO students this opportunity. These types of experiences can really make a difference in a young person’s life.

06/26/2026

Outreach at the Altoona Library today.

See You @ the Symphony: Let’s Tell a Story!

Using The Four Seasons, Peter and the Wolf, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Rodeo, and Star Wars, we introduced the ideas of program music and the leitmotif.

06/23/2026

The Altoona Youth Orchestra is in full swing for the summer! Sunday we head to Heinz Hall to see the Pittsburgh Symphony perform the music of Lord of the Rings The Two Towers with the full movie under the baton of Maestro Ludwig Wicki.
Maestro was kind enough to Zoom with us during rehearsal this week and explain the ins and outs of his incredible career, working with Howard Shore (LOTR composer), and helping to create the vision of these types of performances. He also talked about traveling the world and what it’s like working with all the great orchestras out there.
We are extremely grateful for his time and generosity!!

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

This week concluded the Altoona Symphony Orchestra Educational Outreach Programs at the Altoona Public Library. These sessions introduced our youngest music lovers to the beauty and joys of the orchestra. Sessions incorporated music exploration using live music, multimedia and hands-on presentations. Sessions introduced the role of the conductor and all the sections of the orchestra. We would like to thank the Harold and Betty Cottle Family Foundation for their generous support of the program and keeping the arts alive for another generation of symphony lovers. We would also like to thank Bob Scholl and Larry Detwiler for their help with the woodwind and brass sessions. Please look for us at the Bellwood Library this June!

05/23/2026

So happy to welcome these amazing Hollidaysburg Grads to the “Lights, Camera, Music!” performance with the A*O on May 9th. Julie Hanlon and Jack Peterson were also able to perform for the A*O “DIne with Maestro” and our school outreach at Hollidaysburg Area Senior High. Great job to all!

05/23/2026

See You @ the Symphony

May 26 @ 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Join our friends from the Altoona Symphony Orchestra as they introduce our youngest patrons to the beauty and joys of the symphony in this unique, hands-on program! This program is ideal for families who are seeking a way to introduce the symphony orchestra and in particular the percussion section to children aged 3 to 6. This program will incorporate music exploration using multimedia and hands-on presentations. Call 814-946-0417 ext.123 to register or online at

Join our friends from the Altoona Symphony Orchestra as they introduce our youngest patrons to the beauty and joys of the symphony in this unique, hands-on program! This program is ideal for families who are seeking a way to introduce the symphony orchestra to children. This program will incorporate...

05/23/2026

The Altoona Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to announce another year of the Altoona Youth Orchestra under the direction of Mrs. Kelly Detwiler and Mrs. Stephanie Everett. AYO strives to provide unique and challenging music performance opportunities for the string students of our central PA community. The AYO is an absolutely free program for area 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders. The 2025-2026 application can be obtained at the Altoona Symphony Orchestra office or by emailing the youth orchestra at [email protected]. Applications are due to Mrs. Detwiler and Mrs. Everett by Friday, May 29 at the above email or by mailing to the Altoona Symphony Orchestra office at:

Altoona Youth Orchestra
1212 12th Avenue
Altoona, PA 16601
(Must be postmarked by May 29)