YOUNGSTOWN, OH (September 30, 2025): On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra (YSO) was acquired by the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association (Stambaugh Auditorium). The Youngstown Symphony traces its roots to 1926 when brothers Michael and Carmine Ficocelli started what would become the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. The future YSO presented its first public concert in 1929 and soon after started to hold concerts at Stambaugh Auditorium. The YSO moved to Edward W. Powers Auditorium in 1969 and presented the majority of its concerts at Powers Auditorium (DeYor Performing Arts Center) until the 2021/2022 season when concerts were split between the DeYor Performing Arts Center and Stambaugh Auditorium. 

The negotiations needed to facilitate the transfer of the YSO to Stambaugh delayed many things related to the Orchestra, including the planning of the 2025/2026 season, announcement of a music director, negotiations with the American Federation of Musicians (AFM Local 86-242) who represent the musicians of the Youngstown Symphony, and other important work. Over the past five or six months, the focus has been ensuring the future of the YSO. Now that the parent organization of the YSO has been determined and some of the delayed work has begun, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra under the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association is pleased to announce the following:

• An agreement was reached with the Musicians of the Youngstown Symphony through AFM Local 86-242 to extend the contract (CBA) that expired on August 31, 2025 for two years. The extended agreement will expire on August 31, 2027.
• The 2025/2026 season is being planned. It will be a shorter season due to the late start, but the season is scheduled to open with a holiday “pops” concert on Monday, December 22 in the Concert Hall at Stambaugh Auditorium. Additional dates and more information about the YSO season will be announced in the coming weeks. 
• For the third year, the Youngstown Symphony will be the orchestra for Ballet Western Reserve’s production of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker on December 6 and 7 in Powers Auditorium at the DeYor Performing Arts Center. Tickets for BWR’s Nutcracker are on sale now at the YourArts box office and at experienceyourarts.org
• After the resignation of Sergey Bogza in November 2024, just four months after his appointment as Music Director, the orchestra was once again without a music director. The 2024/2025 season was presented with guest conductors, continuing a pattern that began after the passing of longtime YSO Music Director Randall Craig Fleischer in August of 2020. Now, the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and The Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association are thrilled to announce the appointment of Mr. Erik Ochsner as the new Music Director of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.
  • Conductor Erik Ochsner is considered by audiences and critics alike to be one of the leading film-with-live-orchestra conductors, celebrated for his dynamic energy, attention to detail, and precise synchronization. From classical to pops programs, including 23 films, he has guest conducted orchestras across six continents, with performances from Beijing to Jakarta, Dallas to St. Louis, Tokyo to Seattle, Vancouver to Wellington to Warsaw! Two standout highlights include conducting the world premiere of Mary Poppins in Concert in the Sydney Opera House and leading 50 performances of La La Land in Concert! He has appeared with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra nine times as guest conductor. He is founder and Music Director of the SONOS Chamber Orchestra in New York City. A Graduate of Dartmouth College, Erik is based in New York City. wwww.erikochsner.com, Facebook, and Instagram.

For the 2025/2026 YSO Season, the Symphony concerts will take place at Stambaugh Auditorium. The Orchestra will continue to present concerts at the DeYor Performing Arts Center as well as Stambaugh Auditorium in the 2026/2027 season.

The board and staff of the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association wish to express their heartfelt thanks to the musicians, staff, and community for their patience and understanding during this transition. Stambaugh Auditorium Board President, Mr. Michael Crist stated:

“The Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association Board of Directors is excited and honored to continue the institution of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. In its nearly 100 years of making music in Youngstown, the YSO serves as a cultural bedrock of the Mahoning Valley. Many thanks for the YSO transfer goes to the Stambaugh Auditorium staff, Matt Pagac, CEO. Thanks to Matt for his dedication to sustaining the treasure that is the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. As the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association Board moves forward with the YSO for the next 100 years, it is imperative that the Mahoning Valley community continue to support our Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. See you at the Symphony!”

Matt Pagac would like to thank the donors, foundations, and board members who have helped make the acquisition of the YSO possible. Mr. Pagac stated:

“The arts and culture organizations of the Mahoning Valley need continuous support from donors, patrons, and the community. The financial support from donors and foundations provide significant support to sustain our historic facilities and continue to provide programing such as the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. The long-term success and sustainability of the performing arts, including the YSO, depends on people being present and engaged by attending concerts which keeps the mission of our arts organization alive and allows these organizations to thrive.”

The Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association looks forward to this new era for the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. For more information and updates, visit yougnstownsymphony.com, experienceyourarts.org, or follow the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra on social media.