Welcome to the Genesee
Symphony Orchestra
Where music meets community
The Genesee Symphony Orchestra is a dynamic regional orchestra that presents an ambitious portfolio of concerts for the enrichment of our community through high-quality performances, educational opportunities, guest artists, and partnerships. Founded in 1947, it is one of the oldest civic orchestras in New York State.
Tickets for GSO’s exciting
2026-2027 season are available NOW!
The GSO is pleased to be affiliated with Genesee Community College as the Orchestra in Residence since February 2005.
The Stuart Steiner Theatre is the GSO home for most regular season concerts, and qualified GCC students may enroll for college credit through performance with the GSO.
This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council of the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature and administered by GoArt!
Our Mission—to link a diverse public with the arts—is paramount to everything we do. From our annual Meet the Orchestra event to the Young Artist Competition and String Workshop, the GSO engages the community and brings a distinct awareness of the arts to our rural region.
Volunteer
We are thankful for the many volunteers who support the GSO! Do you have a skill or talent or just want to lend a helping hand? Sign up below!
Join the GSO!
Join the Genesee Symphony Orchestra and become part of a vibrant musical family that's making a real difference.
We welcome players of all orchestral instruments and skill levels.
As a GSO member, you'll perform a diverse repertoire from classical masterpieces to contemporary local compositions, collaborating with talented musicians while enriching our rural region's culture.
Our inclusive environment fosters musical growth and lasting friendships. Weekly rehearsals culminate in inspiring concerts that captivate our community.
Audition for the GSO today and help us continue to transform lives through the power of orchestral music.
“Being part of the GSO allows me to pursue my passion for music while making a meaningful impact in our community. It's a joy to collaborate with such talented musicians and bring beautiful orchestral performances to our region.”
- Melzie Case, GSO Orchestra President
Support the GSO
An endowment fund was set up in the year of the orchestra’s 50th anniversary. The opportunity to have a part in this endowment is made available to supporters, businesses, and members and helps ensure the future of the orchestra.
Show your support for the GSO by adding to the endowment today!
Meet Our Conductor
S. Shade Zajac
Conductor and Music Director
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Dear Friends,
I am so excited to begin our new season which celebrates the GSO’s 80th season of concerts. This is a monumental achievement and as such I wanted to select music that would be as monumental as the occasion. Therefore, we will be performing several masterpieces that the orchestra has never performed before as well as beloved favorites for both the Orchestra and our faithful audience! The season will start by featuring our 2026 Young Artist Competition Winner Hannah Witkowski who will be performing the first movement of the second Weber Clarinet Concerto. The Orchestra will then perform two masterworks: Tristan und Isolde Prelude and Liebestod by Richard Wagner, and the incredible Second Symphony of Jean Sibelius. For our Holiday Concert, we will perform all of your favorites from Sleigh Ride to Christmas Festival as well as a lovely rendition of the Night Before Christmas. After the new year, we have a special concert that is back by popular demand: Movie Night! This concert will feature music from movies such as Back to the Future, Casablanca, The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and much more! We will close the season with an incredibly special and powerful program. On the first half we will give the world premier of a new piece by Ithaca based composer Josh Oxford. We will also feature our string workshop students on a piece with the GSO. The second half will consist of Gustav Mahler’s Das Lied Von Der Erde; the Song of the Earth. This is one of Mahler’s final works and he sadly never was able to hear a performance. It is for a big orchestra and two singers. We are thrilled to welcome back GSO favorite Mezzo Soprano Gabrielle LaBare, and we welcome for the first time Tenor Heredia. It is a massive and emotional piece of music that will be the perfect way to close out what I know will be another memorable season.
~Shade