2008 - 2009 Season: A Diamond Jubilee!

October 11, 2008 -- HOMETOWN GEMS
Butler native William Purvis, French hornist, renowned in the US and abroad as a soloist, chamber musician, conductor and educator, opens the 60th Season as soloist and guest conductor. The orchestra is featured in Porgy & Bess, number one in our Audience Survey.

November 8, 2008 -- GENERATIONAL GEMS
For this Family Pops Concert, the orchestra plays music for everyone -- Big Band, music of the '50s, TV music and music from the video game "Halo." Michael Miles, with his magic banjo, guitar, and vocals, shares his zeal for music with all generations, performing classic bajo, fiddle tunes, and Beatles-era music. This concert will be a full concert, not a short one as in the past. It is offered as a part of the subscription series.

December 6, 2008 -- HOLIDAY GEMS
The classic story "Twas the Night Before Christmas" is narrated by local radio personality Bob Cupp. The St Mary's (Glenshaw) Children's Chrous, led by Frieda Flaminio, performs; and the orchestra plays Strass's Blue Danube Waltz, number two in our Audience Survey.

Februay 14, 2009 -- ROMANTIC GEMS
Lush, sensuous music fills the air this Valentine's Day as the orchestra celebrates famous lovers. The MTG Singers and vocal soloists sing an original, for the BCSO, arrangement of the world's great love songs, and then they will wow you with selections from Richard Godgers's Broadway Shows. Experience multimedia with photos by Phil Norton depicting our love of the changing seasons. This is a perfect romantic evening to enjoy with someone special.

March 14, 2009 -- TREASURED GEMS
Come and applaud an emerging young artist when our talented college-age Young Artist Competition winner performs. The orchestra features a lively Tchaikovsky overture as part of this sparkling program.

April 25th, 2009 -- "FACET"-NATIN' GEMS
Leon Bates, pianist, returns after 10 years to help us celebrate another anniversary. An elegant and exciting soloist, he will thrill you, as he does audiences worldwide. In Europe, he is called "one of America's best." His Butler performances of Ravel and Duke Ellington will be brilliant.

A diamond bracelet ($3500 value) was raffled off to top this Diamond Anniversary Season!