The Williamsport Symphony Orchestra has been gracing the community with music since 1915. This year for Christmas, they will be performing “A Broadway Holiday Celebration” at the Community Arts Center Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Founded by violinist E. Hart Bugbee in 1915, the orchestra endured through name changes and World War II. In 1947 after the war, it was picked up and directed by Osborne Housel before changing hands again to Dorothy Baumwoll and Dr. William Barrison. The two had created the Susquehanna Valley Symphony Orchestra in 1964, and by 1984 both programs had merged and established as the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra under a man named Rolf Smedvig’s leadership.

The orchestra is currently “a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors. Hind Jabbour serves as the director of operations, Janet Harris as the director of development, and Gerardo Edelstein as the music director and conductor,” said Hind Jabbour.

The conductor, Gerardo Edelstein, is described by Jabbour as “a native of Argentina, has an extensive background conducting orchestras worldwide. He has been the music director and conductor of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra for 14 seasons. With a commitment to musical diversity, Maestro Edelstein has led the orchestra to new artistic heights. In addition to his role with the WSO, he holds various positions at Pennsylvania State University and has conducted orchestras across the globe, earning praise for his charismatic and energetic performances.”

The orchestra itself is comprised of 80 semi-professional musicians with more than half being comprised of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses. Jabbour said the musicians “enjoy being challenged with big works, diversity of composers, and a variety of styles.”

“The Broadway Holiday Celebration” will feature Leroy Anderson’s “Christmas Festival”, Stephen Bulla’s “Rhapsody for Hannukah”, Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas Overture” arranged by Rob Byham, solos from Jennie Judd, Bebe Tabickman, Zack Krajnyak, and Jared Whitford, and will close with “White Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.

“I am so happy to be collaborating with the WSO,” said Jared Whitford, creative and staging director and performer for the show. “I am so excited to perform again on the CAC stage with Zack and Jennie, after we have all been out in the world working in the theater world, as well as welcoming extra special guest Bebe Tabickman. There is nothing more special [than] getting to work with Maestro Eldelstein on these incredible Broadway tunes making a special holiday celebration specially made for the Williamsport audiences.”

To learn more about the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, visit their website at www.williamsportsymphony.org or check them out on Facebook at Williamsport Symphony Orchestra or on Instagram @williamsportsymphonyorchestra_.

For tickets to Williamsport Symphony Orchestra: A Journey Through Time and “A Broadway Holiday Celebration”, visit www.caclive.com.