The Westchester Philharmonic, the oldest continuously running professional symphony orchestra and the largest performing arts organization in Westchester County, offers a diverse range of programs. Its main stage concert series is held at the 1,300-seat Concert Hall at the Purchase Performing Arts Center. The Philharmonic also organizes outdoor concerts, chamber concerts, children’s programs, and special events throughout the area. Its performances attract music enthusiasts from Westchester, Fairfield, Rockland, Putnam, and Bergen counties, New York City, and beyond, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.
Established in 1983 as the New Orchestra of Westchester under the leadership of Music Director Paul Lustig Dunkel (who became Music Director Emeritus in 2008), the orchestra was later re-named the Westchester Philharmonic. Renowned artists who have performed with the Philharmonic include Joshua Bell, Jeremy Denk, Leon Fleisher, Marvin Hamlisch, Jennifer Koh, Jaime Laredo, Raymond Leppard, Norm Lewis, Cho-Liang Lin, Branford Marsalis, Midori, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kelli O’Hara, Garrick Ohlsson, Itzhak Perlman, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Peter Serkin, Gil Shaham, Isaac Stern, André Watts, and Alisa Weilerstein.
The Westchester Philharmonic also conducts award-winning educational programs that reach thousands of elementary school students each year with classroom programs and culminating concert with a full orchestra at the Concert Hall. Additionally, the Philharmonic partners with Westchester County government and local organizations to present free and low-cost concerts, along with subsidized seating at main stage concerts throughout the season. This initiative welcomes hundreds of area residents each year who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend due to financial or physical limitations, or other barriers.
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