Johnstown Symphony Orchestra to Celebrate “America at 250” with its October 25th Season Opening Concert
The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra (JSO) will open its 97th season on October 25th with America @ 250 Part I & Brahms 3. The concert will begin at 7:30pm at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the University of the Pittsburgh-Johnstown campus.
The JSO’s 97th season, entitled Musical Roots, is a dual celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of Maestro James Blachly’s tenure with the orchestra. This October 25th season opener sets the stage for an extraordinary year with a program that highlights the rich tapestry of American music.
Executive Director Erin Codey shares, “Our season opener is always a special night in Johnstown, and this year it feels even more meaningful as we begin a multi-concert celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The program our Music Director, James Blachly, has crafted not only honors the American spirit but also reminds us of how music can bring people together. We are excited to welcome our community back to the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, and we invite everyone to be part of this journey through music, history, and inspiration.”
About the Music
The evening opens with Charles Ives’s The Unanswered Question, a work that Blachly describes as “a testament to American innovation. In this piece, Ives creates a stunning, mysterious texture of sound for solo trumpet with sustained strings and woodwinds.”
The program continues with the world premiere of One Foot After the Other by composer Levi Taylor, who is widely recognized for his work in film, television, and the concert stage. “At my invitation, Levi expanded a chamber work to one designed for full orchestra,” notes Blachly. “We are honored to give the world premiere of this excellent piece.”
The American spirit of resilience is captured in Samuel Barber’s Second Essay, composed during World War II. Blachly describes it as “a full emotional journey in only ten minutes. To my mind, it represents the resilience of the American spirit, the courage of our soldiers, and the resolve of an entire country.”
The evening concludes with Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 3. “This piece takes Brahms’s personal motto of Frei Aber Froh (‘free, but happy’) and expresses a kind of musical freedom of expression through stunningly beautiful melodies and orchestration,” says Blachly. “It is one of the most precious gems we have in the orchestral repertoire, and one of the reasons I committed myself to becoming a conductor.”
This concert is the first of the JSO’s multi-part celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, continuing throughout Season 97: Musical Roots.
Tickets and Information
Tickets for America @ 250 Part I and Brahms 3 are available online at www. Johnstownsymphony.org or by calling the JSO box office at 814-535-6738.
Ticket prices range from $10-$65.
Concert Sponsors
The JSO is deeply grateful to Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for their partial concert sponsorship in support of this performance. We also thank our 2025-2026 Leadership Sponsors: 1st Summit Bank; AmeriServ Bank; Concurrent Technologies Corporation; GapVax, Inc; and Somerset Trust Company.