What’s New with the ASO?
Our February 2024 Concert!
A family concert, “A World of Play” with Bryan Eckenrode, Conductor, featuring Guest Narrators, Mike Randall & Claudia Staines.
Our December 2023 Concert!
What a fabulous concert to put you in the holiday spirit! The ASO traditional childrens' rendition of "Jingle Bells" played on stage with the orchestra at the "Home For the Holidays" concert Sunday December 3, 2023
Click Here for Image Gallery of the Concert & Cookie Reception
Thank you!
Thank you Maestro Armenio Suzano for six wonderful years!
The ASO’s October 2023 Concert!
“Movie Magic”, Armenio Suzano, Conductor, Randall Kramer, Piano Soloist. Thank you to Maestro Armenio Suzano for an extraordinary farewell concert after an incredible six years with the ASO.
Conductor Armenio Suzano receives a parting gift from the Amherst Symphony at the post-concert reception in his honor, Musicalfare, October 22, 2023. Click Here for the Image!
The ASO’s Summer 2023 Concert!
“A Night of Music from the Movies”, Bryan Eckenrode, Conductor at Island Park, Williamsville. A “musician’s view” from the stage as the audience gathers for the spectacular 7 PM concert.
The ASO’s April 2023 Concert!
The “New Horizons and Timeless Traditions” with Armenio Susano, Conductor featuring Guest Artists Roman & Benjamin Mekinulov was music to our ears!
Our February 2023 Concert!
Our February concert will begin with a Native American group, Indigenous Spirit Dancers, performing in the gym from 1:30-2:30pm. You won’t want to miss this!
Watch the Indigenous Spirit Dancers!
ASO December 2022 Concert!
Titled “Sing! Sing! Sing! with Conductor Bryan Eckenrode and Guest Artist Debbie Pappas Sham, singer. There was even a holiday sing-a-long with a visit from Santa!
Click Here for the Image Gallery
Standing Ovations for ASO October 2022 Concert!
Conductor Armenio Suzano, Guest Artist Bill John Newbrough on a Steinway piano and 85 musicians on stage performed to standing ovations by the audience for the October 23, 2022 "Reminiscences" concert.
Sujeet Desai begins the concert with the "Star Spangled Banner.
Click Here for the Image Gallery
Taylor Made Jazz Summer 2022 Pre-Concert!
A special appearance by Taylor Made Jazz wowed the crowd as they performed the Pre-concert.
ASO Annual Summer 2022 Concert was a hit!
With record breaking crowds, this year’s Annual Summer concert was a huge hit! Bryan Eckenrode, Conductor, began the concert by playing the bagpipes. The concert featured Karen D’Angelo as the Guest Artist.
Click Here for the Image Gallery
ASO May 2022 Concert Celebrating 75 Years!
Titled “ASO Diamond Jubilee: Celebration of Excellence” with Armenio Suzano, Conductor and Guest Soloist Carol Wincenc, flute.
Click Here for the Image Gallery
2022 Scholarship Winner
The winner of the 2022 Friends of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra/Williamsville Rotary Music Scholarship, for $2000, is Williamsville South HS Clarinetist Paige Krebs. Paige won over the judges with her talent, musicianship, technique, accuracy, her style and stage presence.
ASO February 2022 Concert was a Success for Orchestra & Community alike!
Titled “A Patriotic Pause” with Bryan Eckenrode, Conductor and Narrator - David Bellavia, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Outreach School Program for St. Gregory The Great School
On Wednesday, January 26 2022 some members of the ASO presented a “Meet the Orchestra” Assembly for St. Gregory The Great School (grades pre-K through 8).
The mission of this collaboration is to increase our community’s participation in, and appreciation for the arts by encouraging students and their families to present and attend community orchestra performances. One member from each section of the orchestra gave a brief discussion and performance on their instrument. The assembly culminated with a group performance of Lord of The Dance. St. Greg’s principal, Julie Gajewski, was very excited about this collaboration with the Amherst Symphony Orchestra.
“Year of Illumination” Book is gifted to Erie County officials
“It’s our hope that the profound appreciation expressed in this book for the immeasurable investments made in the cultural sector for nearly a half century by Erie County and its residents will be read by many now and decades from now,” said Catherine Schweitzer, Executive Director of the Baird Foundation.
On Tuesday, at the Burchfield Penney, attendees were given a copy of the rare first edition book, intended to serve as a piece of public art, that includes messages of appreciation to Erie County and its residents for the financial support provided.
Click Here to see what the ASO inserted in the Year of Illumination Book!
The Amberleigh Enhanced Assisted Living Facility
The Amberleigh Enhanced Assisted Living residents enjoyed listening to the Amherst Symphony Orchestra’s beautiful music.
The ASO “Woodwind Trio” musicians, called The Ambassadors, are: Michelle Russ, flute; Mary Britton, bassoon; and Roseann Deni, clarinet.
Photos by: Kayla Turner
We will never forget…
The Amherst Symphony's Conductor, Bryan Eckrnrode, is the bagpipe performer playing "Highland Cathedral" at St. Joseph University Church, Buffalo.
This performance is dedicated to the memory of all those who lost their lives during the attack on 9/11.
ASO’s Summer Concert
Back together again! This is the first time the ASO has been together since February 2020. The weather was perfect and the audience was grand! Conductor Bryan Eckenrode had on many hats that evening. He started the concert playing the bagpipes. Cristen Gregory, Soprano, entertained us all as she sang an aria. Later, Bryan and Cristen sang a duet celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. The special guest, Basil Piazza, recently a retired Trustee from the Village Board, fulfilled two assignments, “Guest Conductor” and “Narrator” admirably. The Victorian Dancers in period costumes, added to the festivities. Overall, a great concert after a long pause. Thank you for your support!
ASO Artwork Contest Winners
Thank you to all of the local High School Art Students that submitted artwork for the ASO’s notecard contest! We have picked Four Winners! Check out their artwork!
ASO Painted Traffic Box
The Amherst Symphony Orchestra’s traffic signal box, in the Town of Amherst, is located at MacArthur and Maple Roads, at the entrance/exit of Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital. The design is a colorful representation of how the Amherst Symphony Orchestra's music brings unity to the community. The ASO is the oldest volunteer symphony in the country and the artwork is publicizing their 75th anniversary year! It captures and communicates the emotion and beauty music and art brings to our lives.
ASO Main Street Flags
Thirty-eight lamp post pole banners were hanging along Main St., Williamsville. In regal purple and gold, Amherst Symphony Orchestra celebrates its message of 75 years as part of the Williamsville/Amherst community.
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.
ASO on WIVB Ch. 4 News
The Amherst Symphony was featured in the spotlight on WIVB Channel 4 News on September 1, 2020!
ASO in the Amherst Bee
The Amherst Symphony was also featured in various articles in the Amherst Bee!