Catskill Symphony Orchestra

04/25/2026

Are you ready for a night of timeless American classics? For a spectacular evening celebrating America's musical genius, we're bringing George Gershwin to life!

Join us May 9th at SUNY Oneonta's Hunt Union Ballroom for our annual Wendy Brown Cabaret Fundraiser and Guest Conductor Competition: "Gershwin, by George!" Full program, guest artist roster, tickets and more at http://www.givebutter.com/cabaret26

Gershwin, by George! is our annual cabaret fundraiser and we hope you'll join us for the full evening: reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres and cabaret-style seating starting at 6pm, concert at 7:30pm, Guest Conductor Competition, Silent Auction, and incredible performances from our orchestra, conducted by Maestro Glen Cortese, featuring returning vocalist Casey Gray and Pulitzer Prize finalist, two-time Emmy Award-winning composer and pianist John Musto making his CSO debut performing the iconic Rhapsody in Blue! The program includes beloved Gershwin standards Someone to Watch Over Me, Fascinatin' Rhythm, Embraceable You, selections from , plus favorites from Irving Berlin and Cab Calloway.

Our Guest Conductor candidates will compete for your votes to be the 2026 Guest Conductor and lead the orchestra through Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" (voting is now open at givebutter.com/cabaret26). We welcome this year's contenders - "the Supers" - three legendary educators who collectively shaped thousands of students across our region over several decades:

David Rowley of Oneonta (former Superintendent of Oneonta City, Edmeston Central, and Stamford Central School Districts; President of the Board at Community Foundation of Otsego County; proud OHS grad with "next to no musical experience" - his words!)

Romona Wenck of Laurens (former Superintendent of Laurens CSD and interim Superintendent of Milford, Cooperstown, and Edmeston CSDs; former Drum Major of the Mello-Dears All Girl Drum and Bugle Corps; longtime coach and director of the nationally recognized Laurens Jaguars Drill Colorguard)

Gary Kuch of Cooperstown (former Superintendent of Worcester CSD and longtime Principal at Cooperstown CSD; former Director of Clark Foundation Scholarship Program; alumnus of the legendary Fly Creek Philharmonic; former Fire Chief of Cooperstown Fire Department)

The evening will be led by our esteemed Master of Ceremonies, musician and actor (as seen in 's and ) Doug Decker.

All proceeds benefit the CSO and our ongoing efforts to provide local world-class , free access for students and discounted tickets for parents, innovative educational programming, presentation of diverse repertoire, and contributing to local arts and culture ensuring high quality of life in our shared and regions.

Tickets are LIMITED - reserve your table now! Tables for 10 are $800. Individual tickets are $75 through May 8, $110 on May 9.

Students are always FREE (school-age and college-age with ID), and parents only $10 (up to two parents or guardians) thanks to the Wendy Brown Student Ticket Program.

The concert is underwritten by Tom Morgan in loving memory of his late wife Erna Morgan McReynolds, who underwrote the annual Cabaret in memory of her beloved sister and longtime CSO supporter and Board Member, Wendy Brown. Special thanks to our sponsors and supporters, The Table Rock Group at Morgan Stanley, Hampton Inn Oneonta and SUNY Oneonta.

Make CSO a part of your celebrations honoring the 250th anniversary of American independence - celebrating George Gershwin, the Brooklyn-born son of Russian-Jewish immigrants who transformed American music!

See you at the symphony on May 9th! 🎵🎹🎻

02/21/2026

🎻✨ Grab your tickets today for STRING THEORY! ✨🎻

Tickets: https://givebutter.com/stringtheory

Join us for an enchanting evening of string virtuosity on Saturday, March 14, 2026!

🎻 Concert IV: String Theory
🎤 Featuring violinist Michael Emery
🎵 Conducted by Glen Cortese
📍 Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center, Oneonta
🚪 Doors at 6:30 PM | Concert at 7:30 PM
🍷 Cash bar opens at 6:30 PM

We are thrilled to showcase Distinguished Artist-in-Residence at Skidmore College, and longtime CSO concertmaster, violinist Michael Emery! With a career spanning international competitions, chamber music collaborations with Emanuel Ax and André-Michel Schub, and performances as concertmaster and soloist across Asia, Europe, and North America, Michael brings world-class artistry to our stage. As founder of the Skidmore String Festival and member of the internationally touring Omega Trio, he has worked with contemporary composers including John Corigliano himself—making him the perfect artist to perform Corigliano's hauntingly beautiful Red Violin Suite! 🎶✨

Experience the heart and soul of the orchestra with Mahler's intimate Adagietto, Mendelssohn's String Symphony No. 10, Vaughan Williams' Renaissance-inspired Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, and Corigliano's dramatic Red Violin Suite!

This rare program spans three centuries of string mastery—from Mendelssohn's youthful genius to Vaughan Williams' groundbreaking Renaissance revival that reimagined how orchestral strings could sound. You'll hear Mendelssohn's rarely-performed String Symphony and experience the ethereal double-orchestra texture of the Tallis Fantasia—works seldom programmed together, offering a once-in-a-season journey through the evolution of string writing. 🎭

String Theory is the fourth concert of CSO's 72nd Season: The Orchestral Kaleidoscope--exploring and examining the orchestra's many unique components and how no two arrangements are ever alike. The final concert will perform on May 9th: Gershwin, by George! -- The Annual Wendy Brown Cabaret Fundraiser and Guest Conductor Competition

🎟️ TICKETS:
✅ General Admission: $45 early / $50 door
✅ Students: FREE (school and college-age)
✅ Parents/guardians/chaperones: $10
✅ Included in annual subscriptions

Thanks to SUNY Oneonta, WSKG, Benson Agency Real Estate, the Table Rock Group at Morgan Stanley, Hampton Inn Hampton Inn Oneonta , New York State Council on the Arts, and many others!

12/10/2025

🎄✨ THIS WEEKEND: Make CSO's Poinsettia Pops your next holiday tradition! ✨🎄

Tickets and Poinsettias available at https://givebutter.com/pops25

Join us for our beloved holiday season celebration this Saturday, December 13, 2025!

🎻 The Annual Poinsettia Pops Concert
🎤 Featuring jazz vocalist Jeanine Ouderkirk
🎵 Conducted by Glen Cortese
📍 SUNY Oneonta's Goodrich Theater
🚪 Doors at 6:30 PM | Concert at 7:30 PM

🎤 Meet Our Featured Soloist! We're thrilled to welcome jazz vocalist Jeanine Ouderkirk for her first-ever performance with the Catskill Symphony Orchestra! A Capital Region favorite who has been the featured soloist for Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra's Poinsettia Pops since 2021, Jeanine is bringing her signature blend of vocal artistry and improvisational brilliance to our stage. Inspired by the legendary Bobby McFerrin, this multi-instrumentalist (Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax, Piano, Guitar) explores jazz standards and beloved Pop/Rock classics with stunning creativity. Her debut album "Nightingale," featuring NYC pianist Tedd Firth, dropped in June 2025! This marks Jeanine's debut with the CSO, adding a whole new dimension of warmth, sophistication, and jazz-infused joy to our holiday favorites.

🎶✨Experience an evening of holiday magic with cherished classics including The Nutcracker, Sleigh Ride, Silent Night, and NEW additions for 2025—all performed in a theater beautifully adorned with poinsettias! 🌺

🎭 Be part of a special tradition: the Poinsettia Pops is a rare concert treat hosted in only a few locations nationwide—including Saratoga Springs, NY, and Greeley, Colorado—now brought to our Catskill and Leatherstocking regions by our Artistic Director Glen Cortese.

🌟 Help Decorate Our Stage and Support the CSO! Purchase a stunning 10" poinsettia plant for just $15 when you buy your ticket, then take it home after the show. Perfect for holiday décor in the home, workplace, house of worship, or gifting!

🎟️ TICKETS:
✅ General Admission: $25
✅ Students (school-age & college): FREE
✅ Parents, guardians, chaperones: Only $10
(Thanks to the Wendy Brown Student Ticket Program!)
✅ Pops is included in annual subscriptions
🎁 Poinsettia Plants: $15 (ticket purchase not required)

Bring your family and friends for an unforgettable night of light, joy, and beautiful music. 🎶❤️

Thanks to Hartwick College Department of Music and Hartwick College, SUNY Oneonta, Five Star Subaru, WSKG, Benson Agency Real Estate, The Table Rock Group at Morgan Stanley, Hampton Inn Oneonta , Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center, and many others! Support them--they support us!

11/26/2025

🎄✨ Make CSO's Poinsettia Pops your next holiday tradition! ✨🎄

Tickets and Poinsettias available at https://givebutter.com/pops25

Join us for our beloved holiday season celebration on Saturday, December 13, 2025!

🎻 The Annual Poinsettia Pops Concert
🎤 Featuring jazz vocalist Jeanine Ouderkirk
🎵 Conducted by Glen Cortese
📍 SUNY Oneonta's Goodrich Theater
🚪 Doors at 6:30 PM | Concert at 7:30 PM

🎤 Meet Our Featured Soloist! We're thrilled to welcome jazz vocalist Jeanine Ouderkirk for her first-ever performance with the Catskill Symphony Orchestra! A Capital Region favorite who has been the featured soloist for Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra's Poinsettia Pops since 2021, Jeanine is bringing her signature blend of vocal artistry and improvisational brilliance to our stage. Inspired by the legendary Bobby McFerrin, this multi-instrumentalist (Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax, Piano, Guitar) explores jazz standards and beloved Pop/Rock classics with stunning creativity. Her debut album "Nightingale," featuring NYC pianist Tedd Firth, dropped in June 2025! This marks Jeanine's debut with the CSO, adding a whole new dimension of warmth, sophistication, and jazz-infused joy to our holiday favorites.

🎶✨Experience an evening of holiday magic with cherished classics including The Nutcracker, Sleigh Ride, Silent Night, and NEW additions for 2025—all performed in a theater beautifully adorned with poinsettias! 🌺

🎭 Be part of a special tradition: the Poinsettia Pops is a rare concert treat hosted in only a few locations nationwide—including Saratoga Springs, NY, and Greeley, Colorado—now brought to our Catskill and Leatherstocking regions by our Artistic Director Glen Cortese.

🌟 Help Decorate Our Stage and Support the CSO! Purchase a stunning 10" poinsettia plant for just $15 when you buy your ticket, then take it home after the show. Perfect for holiday décor in the home, workplace, house of worship, or gifting!

🎟️ TICKETS:
✅ General Admission: $25
✅ Students (school-age & college): FREE
✅ Parents, guardians, chaperones: Only $10
(Thanks to the Wendy Brown Student Ticket Program!)
✅ Pops is included in annual subscriptions
🎁 Poinsettia Plants: $15 (ticket purchase not required)

Bring your family and friends for an unforgettable night of light, joy, and beautiful music. 🎶❤️

Thanks to SUNY Oneonta, Five Star Subaru, WSKG, Benson Agency Real Estate, The Table Rock Group at Morgan Stanley, Hampton Inn Oneonta, Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center, and many others! Support them--they support us!

11/01/2025

🎼 TONIGHT! FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH 🎼

Doors open at 6:30 PM | Concert begins at 7:30 PM
📍 Foothills PAC, Oneonta

Join us for a magical and pure evening as the Catskill Symphony Orchestra unites with the SUNY Oneonta World Chorus for Debussy, Schubert's glorious Mass in G major, and Mozart's brilliant Symphony No. 29!

🎓 Students (school and college-age) get in FREE at the door!
👩‍👦 Parents, guardians, and chaperones accompanying students only $10!
🎟️ Adult tickets available: $50 at the door

Save 10% on tickets in advance by ordering at http://www.givebutter.com/fountainofyouth

Full concert program, program notes, and more about the SUNY Oneonta World Chorus and Friends (including roster) at https://www.catskillsymphonyorchestra.org/fountain-of-youth

Experience the power of orchestra and voices together—it's going to be an unforgettable night of music that celebrates the eternal spirit of youth!

See you tonight! 🎶✨

10/18/2025

⏰ TWO WEEKS AWAY! ⏰ FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH is almost here and we can't wait to share this magical evening with you! Ticket link below.

Saturday, November 1st | 7:30 PM | Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center

🎓 Reminder: ALL STUDENTS GET IN FREE! 🎓

In just 14 days, the Catskill Symphony Orchestra joins forces with the SUNY Oneonta World Chorus for an unforgettable celebration of music's eternal spirit. From Debussy's whimsical childhood scenes to Schubert's glorious Mass composed at age 19, to Mozart's brilliant Symphony No. 29 written at just 18 - this program proves that musical genius knows no age!

What makes this concert special?
✨ The power of orchestra + voices united in harmony
✨ Three masterworks celebrating youth and timeless wonder
✨ Guest Director Brian Reynolds leading the World Chorus
✨ FREE admission for all students (school-age & college)
✨ Part of our "Orchestral Kaleidoscope" season showcasing the orchestra's endless possibilities

Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience sacred choral music combined with orchestral brilliance. Whether you're bringing students, introducing your family to live classical music, or simply love the magic of voices and instruments together - this concert promises to inspire and uplift!

🎟️ SECURE YOUR SEATS NOW:
https://givebutter.com/fountainofyouth

School-Age and College Students: FREE
Adults: $45 advance / $50 door
Accompanying Parents, Guardians, and Chaperones: $10

Tag someone who needs to experience this with you! 🙂🎶

09/27/2025

🎼✨ Now is the time to grab your tickets for CSO's second concert of the season: FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH ✨🎶

Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Foothills PAC

🎓 STUDENTS ARE ALWAYS FREE! Thanks to our Wendy Brown Student Ticket Fund, all school-age and college students experience this magical evening at no cost!

🎟️ GET TICKETS: https://givebutter.com/fountainofyouth
Students FREE | Adults from $45 (early) $50 at the door

Fresh off an enchanting concert on September 20th, join us next for an extraordinary evening celebrating the eternal spirit of music! We're thrilled to welcome the SUNY Oneonta World Chorus and Friends under the direction of Brian Reynolds for a program that captures the wonder and joy of musical discovery.

This thoughtfully curated program takes audiences on a journey through the ages of musical expression - from Debussy's enchanting Children's Corner suite that captures childhood's magical perspective, to Schubert's radiant Mass in G major that celebrates the eternal human spirit, culminating with Mozart's spirited Symphony No. 29 written when he was just 18 years old - truly embodying the "fountain of youth" theme!

🎵 A Unique Program:
The addition of chorus elevates this concert into something truly special. Sacred choral music like Schubert's Mass represents one of humanity's oldest musical traditions - the power of voices united in harmony. Combined with Debussy's impressionistic portraits of childhood wonder and Mozart's youthful genius, this evening celebrates how music keeps us forever young at heart.

🌟 Featured Guest Director:
The return of Brian Reynolds this season brings incredible depth to our collaboration - a SUNY Oneonta lecturer, church music director, accomplished percussionist, and leader of multiple ensembles including the newly reorganized Voices of Cooperstown. His multifaceted musical expertise promises an unforgettable choral experience.

This concert showcases our "Orchestral Kaleidoscope" season theme perfectly - demonstrating how the orchestra transforms when joined by human voices, creating entirely new colors and emotional depths that neither could achieve alone.

Experience the timeless magic of music that connects generations and keeps the spirit eternally young. Don't miss this celebration of musical joy and human harmony!

Thank you to our 72nd Season supporters, including The Table Rock Group at Morgan Stanley, Benson Agency, Hampton by Hilton, WSKG Public Broadcasting, The Village Printer, SUNY Oneonta, Hartwick College and the Hartwick College Department of Music, Mohican Flowers, Fenimore Farm and Country Village, Stewart's Shops, The Otesaga Resort Hotel, James and Constance Martin, Erna Morgan McReynolds and Tom Morgan, Robert Nelson and Van Broughton Ramsey, Toscana Northern Italian Grill, Bella Michaels Restaurant, thedailystar.com, Franklin Railroad Museum, Kings Cafe (Franklin), Good Taste Epicurean (Franklin), United Musicians of the Twin Tiers and Central NY State, AFM 380-443, Inn at Cooperstown, Cadillac Ranch Event Barn (Davenport) and others! Support them--they support us!

09/19/2025

🎼 Help us keep the music playing today!

🤝 We’re excited to once again participate in in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Otsego County ()! Today is the day to donate!

🎟️ Don’t forget to also secure your tickets for ICONIC LEGENDS tomorrow, September 20 7:30pm at Foothills PAC in Oneonta!

Every donation, big or small, helps us continue bringing orchestral music to our community for another 72 years and beyond!

🎯 Donate at http://www.givemv.org/organizations/catskill-symphony-orchestra

Let’s make some beautiful music together! 🎻🎺🪉🎹

09/16/2025

🎼❄️ We asked AI what it thinks the Catskill Symphony Orchestra is... and got this beautiful snowy mountain quintet!

While we love this artistic interpretation (that clearly has a bias for the string section), we're actually a full orchestra preparing for our 72nd season opener THIS SATURDAY! 🎻

🤝 We're excited to once again participate in with the The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Otsego County! Early donations are open NOW, with the big 24-hour giving day happening FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th - just ONE DAY before our season opener!

Your support helps us:
✨ Present world-class performances
✨ Offer FREE student tickets
✨ Bring renowned guest artists like Saturday's guest, pianist Philip Edward Fisher
✨ Commission new works like Marc Migó's world premiere on Saturday (Marc will join us, too!)

Every donation, big or small, helps us continue bringing orchestral music to our community for another 72 years and beyond!

🎯 Donate at: https://www.givemv.org/organizations/catskill-symphony-orchestra

Let's make some beautiful music together 🎶

09/13/2025

🎹✨ ONE WEEK until the Catskill Symphony Orchestra opens the 72nd Season! -- your attendance is requested! ✨🎼

Confirm your tickets here: https://givebutter.com/iconiclegends

🎟️ ALL STUDENTS are always FREE thanks to our Wendy Brown Student Ticket Program--unlocking the world of orchestral music for the youngest and newest music lovers among us.

⭐️ Join us for an extraordinary evening of meeting modern musical giants featuring virtuoso pianist Philip Edward Fisher on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at the Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center in Oneonta. Doors at 6:30 PM, concert at 7:30 PM with Cash Bar. New York Lifestyles Magazine celebrates Philip Edward Fisher as "one of the world's most accomplished classical pianists," and this Royal Academy of Music and Juilliard graduate brings his internationally acclaimed artistry to our stage for a truly unforgettable performance.

⭐️ A new and exciting addition to the evening will be the live attendance of featured Catalan composer Marc Migó, joining the CSO for the premiere of his work, The Ecstasy of St. Teresa. Migó is an award-winning composer and pianist, a graduate of the Juilliard School and Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya, having studied under prominent mentors including Melinda Wagner and John Corigliano, and brings to his work a structural clarity with thematic daring--drawing on historical forms while engaging today's cultural tensions.

🎵 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS under the direction of Artistic Director Glen Cortese:

Hector Berlioz: King Lear Overture - A dramatic masterpiece that showcases the orchestra's full power and Berlioz's genius for orchestral colors

Marc Migó: The Ecstasy of St. Teresa (2025) - A world premiere with the composer in attendance! This new work brings contemporary voices into dialogue with classical tradition

Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D major - One of the most beloved and technically demanding works in the piano repertoire, a true test of virtuosity

This carefully curated program represents a rare opportunity to experience three distinct sound worlds in one evening - from Berlioz's revolutionary orchestration to a brand-new composition, culminating in Brahms' passionate and monumental concerto that has captivated audiences for over 160 years.

🎟️ TICKETS:

Early Bird: $45 (save 10%!)
At the door: $50
Students (school-age and college): FREE
Parents/guardians/chaperones: Only $10

Thanks to our Wendy Brown Student Ticket Fund, we're committed to providing unencumbered access for all students to experience the transformative power of orchestral music.

Iconic Legends launches "The Orchestral Kaleidoscope" - our 72nd season that celebrates and showcases the orchestra itself as a magnificent instrument capable of endless combinations, while highlighting the distinctive sound worlds created by our season's curation of composers. Five brilliant concerts await - all distinct yet complementary, designed to entertain, educate, and inspire.

Don't miss this exceptional season opener that promises to demonstrate why the Catskill Symphony Orchestra continues to be a jewel of our cultural landscape after seven decades of musical excellence!

Thank you to our 72nd Season supporters, including The Table Rock Group at Morgan Stanley, Benson Agency, Hampton by Hilton, WSKG Public Broadcasting, The Village Printer, SUNY Oneonta, Hartwick College, Mohican Flowers, Fenimore Farm and Country Village, Stewart's Shops, The Otesaga Resort Hotel, James and Constance Martin, Erna Morgan McReynolds and Tom Morgan, Robert Nelson and Van Broughton Ramsey, Toscana Northern Italian Grill, Bella Michaels Restaurant, thedailystar.com, Franklin Railroad Museum, Kings Cafe (Franklin), Good Taste Epicurean (Franklin), United Musicians of the Twin Tiers and Central NY State, AFM 380-443 and others! Support them--they support us!

featuring virtuoso Philip Edward Fisher