History of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra

    The Altoona Symphony Orchestra is looking forward to celebrating it 85th Season in 2013-14. This is an outstanding achievement in an era when many orchestras throughout the country cannot boast of such a history. Founded in 1928, the Gerhart String Ensemble has grown over the years to become a full orchestra. Once relying on community volunteers, even donating their own money to purchase music, the Symphony now employs over 75 professional musicians. The mission of the Altoona Symphony has always been to provide high-quality music to the residents of Central Pennsylvania. To this end, the Symphony has gained recognition for its musical diversity by performing both classical and popular works featuring talented local artists and nationally acclaimed musicians.

Proud member of The League of American Orchestras 

Performance Venues

The Mishler Theatre
Benzel Stage

The Historic Mishler Theatre, located at 1208 Twelfth Avenue, Altoona, PA, opened its doors on February 15, 1906. Even then it carried the highest distinction by being the first structure of its kind in America to be completely devoted to theatrical pursuits, as in the early 1900’s most theatre's simply occupied the second floor of commercial buildings.

Albert Westover, a prominent theatre architect of the time, designed the grand house for Isaac Charles (Doc) Mishler, and his original plans remain on file, along with other Mishler Theatre archived documents and memorabilia.

Want to learn more about this incredible theatre....Click Here!

Canal Basin Park
Hollidaysburg, PA

The Canal Basin Park Band Shell was an outgrowth of the Hollidaysburg Community Band’s efforts to find a home for their summer concerts. In 2004 the need was addressed when members from numerous local organizations and business owners came together to raise matching monies for a Borough Grant.

 The committee worked on the project with local engineers, architects, landscape architects, finance institutions and community leaders to design the pavilion and the grounds. A pre-cut cedar pavilion was decided upon and a natural turf amphitheater was designed. Estimated costs were received and the committee began the task of raising the necessary monies.

Local area foundations, banking institutions, businesses, civic groups, and individuals donated generously to the project, and by the winter of 2006, the money was raised. Construction began in the spring of 2006 and was finished before winter. The dedication of the pavilion was held in May of 2007 with featured speeches by local officials, a ribbon cutting, and a special concert by the Hollidaysburg Alumni, Community Band and Alumni Chorus marked the beginning of melodies in the air!

The Canal Basin park is also home to a number of other activities including a great play area where a custom designed play structure replicating a sectional canal boat welcomes all aboard, and the steam engine which pulled the barges up the incline still sits in the park!

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
Downtown Altoona, PA 

Standing high over Downtown Altoona, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament remains a beacon over the quiet city. It's the seat of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and this year will host an Altoona Symphony Concert Performance for the second time!

The Cathedral looks like one you might find in an old European city, but it's newer than you think. Construction started in 1924 with the cornerstone being laid in 1926, but the Cathedral construction was stopped in 1929 because of the stock market crash and the Great Depression. Masses were held in the unfinished building beginning in 1931 and the building wasn't formally opened until 1960. 

The Cathedral, designed by George I. Lovatt Sr. of Philadelphia, stands 198 feet tall from street to dome. It's floor to dome height is 152 feet. In common with a building of this sort, it's loaded with statuary such as stained glass windows, mosaic murals and etched glass entrance doors.  The etchings in the center represent the Last Supper. The doors on either side represent traditional symbols for the four Evangelists:  Matthew, the Human Being; Luke, the Ox; Mark, the Lion; and John, the Eagle.

The Cathedral is a must see when in the city, and will certainly act as a magnificent backdrop to this special concert.