Historical Review
of the
Lancaster County Youth Symphony
The Lancaster County Youth Symphony was founded
in 1965 by the Musical Art Society of Lancaster,
PA. The advisory board included: Carol Bulson,
Jeanne Marie Donley, Ruth Humphreville and
Eloise Johnson. Virginia Darnell was the
first conductor. Mrs. Donley has been the
Chairman of the Symphony Board since the
beginning. Dr. Otis Kitchen was conductor
of the orchestra from 1967 through 1980,
and directed the Wind Ensemble from 1985
until 1990.
The Youth Symphony has been an effective
catalyst of fine literature for over thirty
years, and has appeared at numerous venues
including the Music Pier at Ocean City, NJ;
the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD; WGAL-TV
live in Lancaster; East Stroudsburg University;
Lebanon Valley College; Millersville University;
Elizabethtown College; the Pennsylvania Federation
of Music Clubs Convention; the Guggenheim
Pavilion of Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center,
NY; and at Long's Park in Lancaster, PA.
The Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, under the
direction of Dr. Otis Kitchen, also produced
a recording. They have premiered several
American compositions and received Awards
of Merit from the National Federation of
Music Clubs.
The Youth Symphony Camp was founded in 1971,
and was held at Elizabethtown College with
the Curtis String Quartet as artists-in-residence.
Guests appearing with the orchestra have
included: Dr. Russel Getz, conductor; Francis
Welsh, pianist; Noah Klauss, composer; Donald
Trostle, interim conductor; and Francis Fortier,
violinist and conductor.
Numerous alumni have become distinguished
professional musicians in their own right,
and have kept the legacy of the orchestra
intact.
David Leithmann became conductor of the Orchestra
in 1985, and is currently Music Director
of both the Youth Symphony and the Lancaster
County Music Camp that is held annually at
Elizabethtown College.
---
Otis Kitchen, 2001 ---
