ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Allentown Symphony Orchestra and Miller Symphony Hall will get $500,000 from the state to boost orchestral programming and education programs, officials announced Monday.
- Allentown Symphony Association will get $500,000 as part of Pennsylvania's 2022-23 state budget
- Outgoing state Sen. Pat Browne announced the funding Monday morning at Miller Symphony Hall
- Those at the hall say that funds will go toward orchestral programming and educational efforts
The funding will be from Pennsylvania's budget allocations for 2022-23 to boost programs offered by the organization, said Al Jacobsen, executive director of the Allentown Symphony Association.
"We have been in communications about funding of programs," Jacobsen said at a news conference. "But hearing the exact number announced today, it was really spectacular to hear. And it will go to good use delivering on our mission for the residents here in the Lehigh Valley."
Jacobsen said that, given typical revenue for the organization being $3 million to $3.5 million, a six-figure grant is a significant amount of funding.
Outgoing state Sen. Pat Browne announced the funding.
Miller Symphony Hall holds a full season of classical, jazz and other works and is approaching a year and a half of a return to live events following shutdowns because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upcoming events this winter include a Holiday Pops concert, jazz concerts and the continuation of the symphony orchestra classical series.
"We are very much excited as we emerge from the pandemic."Al Jacobsen, executive director of the Allentown Symphony Association
"We are very much excited as we emerge from the pandemic," said Jacobsen. "We've certainly been in business for a while, but there's a lot to look forward to and I look forward to working with more state legislators in the years to come about the importance of the arts in our community."
This weekend, the symphony hall will host the Repertory Dance Theatre's performance of The Nutcracker on Dec. 3-4 at 2:00pm each day.
The next performance in the Allentown Symphony Orchestra season is the Dvořák "New World" Symphony on February 11-12.
