It all began in 1946.
Here is our story.
Joseph Wincenc, Conductor
1946-1996
Our History…
Recipient of the 2006 Outstanding Organization Award from the Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County.
Named Outstanding Organization in 2014 by the Town of Amherst Arts and Culture in Public Places Committee
The orchestra was founded in September 1946 by Dr. Joseph Wincenc as part of the Adult Education program of the Amherst Central school system. The orchestra was quickly adopted as a project of the Amherst South (Eggertsville-Snyder) Rotary Club and was supported by them as a town-wide community organization until 1950 when the Amherst Symphony Orchestra Association, Inc. was established. Dr. Wincenc conducted the orchestra through the first 50 years, retiring in 1996.
The Association Board, the Association Advisory Committee and the Friends Committee (formerly Women’s Committee) members join us from every profession, and fill vital roles, actively employing their varied interests and expertise.
Four concerts are presented at the Amherst Middle School each year as well as an outdoor Summer concert in August. All concerts are given without an admission fee, though free-will donations are gratefully accepted.
ASO WNY Heritage Magazine
The Summer 2020 issue of Western New York Heritage, featuring the 14 page article on the Amherst Symphony Orchestra (with one of the programs on the cover!), is no longer available in stores, but you can order your copy directly from Western New York Heritage. All proceeds support Western New York Heritage, which is a fellow non-profit cultural organization.
The Orchestra from the 1960’s
Concert Program from 1947