“Diane Wittry is celebrating 20 years as conductor of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra,” writes Steve Siegel in Saturday’s (9/19) Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.). “Under Wittry’s baton, the orchestra has added variety to its programming, increased the professionalism of its musicians, engaged the community more strongly and gained the enthusiasm of bigger audiences. She’s given us multimedia extravaganzas such as ‘Video Games Live’ and ‘Symphonie Fantastique,’ projected images from outer space to accompany Holst’s ‘The Planets,’ and staged live tango dancing in an all-Latin program.” Says Wittry, “Everywhere I go, I start choruses…. It’s a great way to involve the greater community in what you’re doing,” noting that her favorite performances with the orchestra include Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, and a semi-staged presentation of Grieg’s Peer Gynt. “Wittry sees more opportunity for engaging, interactive programs. … Wittry is looking at adding a side-by-side family concert next year with the youth orchestra…. Wittry … also wants to nurture her Phantasy Symphony, which gave its first concert in January. Based on the popular fantasy sports camps … it gives amateur musicians the chance to play on-stage at Symphony Hall with the professionals.” The article notes that Wittry also serves as artistic director for the International Cultural Exchange Program with the Sarajevo Philharmonic in Bosnia and is artistic director of the Ridgewood Symphony in New Jersey.
Posted September 23, 2015
Photo of Diane Wittry by Hub Willson
