Symphoria is now performing as The Syracuse Orchestra

Symphoria announced during its Feb. 17 concert that it is now performing as the Syracuse Orchestra. (Photo credit: Chuck Wainwright via The Syracuse Orchestra)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — After performing for 11 years as Symphoria, the organization says it’s now going by the name The Syracuse Orchestra. It made the announcement Saturday night prior to its concert performing Gustav Holst’s 1914 masterpiece, “The Planets,” per a Monday news release about the name change and 2024-25 concert season. Pam Murchinson, executive […]

Already an Subcriber? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become a Central New York Business Journal subscriber and get immediate access to all of our subscriber-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — After performing for 11 years as Symphoria, the organization says it’s now going by the name The Syracuse Orchestra.

It made the announcement Saturday night prior to its concert performing Gustav Holst’s 1914 masterpiece, “The Planets,” per a Monday news release about the name change and 2024-25 concert season.

Pam Murchinson, executive director of the Syracuse Orchestra, said the “timing was right to once again, make it clear that our symphony orchestra belongs to the local community.”

The group has been performing as Symphoria since the “demise” of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra in 2011. As Symphoria, the musicians have performed more than500 full-orchestra concerts, and at least as many chamber-ensemble performances in the community.

The performing-arts organization also noted that more than 20,000 children attended performances free of charge; and the orchestra’s “Healing Harmonies” program placed live music in both health care and social-service settings to provide “mental, physical, and emotional health benefits that come from live music.”

“I’m so proud to see all the ways that our orchestra is evolving as our community grows,” Mary Ann Tyszko, who chairs the board of directors of the Syracuse Orchestra,said in the release. “With our goal being best orchestra we can be for Central New York; we’re excited to have a name that ties us more closely to our amazing community!”

With the new name, the Syracuse Orchestra says it believes it’s offering a 2024-2025 season that “has something for everyone.” From movie and holiday music, to Beethoven, to a tribute to Aretha Franklin and more, the Syracuse Orchestra “will be seen and heard throughout the Greater Syracuse area,” per its announcement.