MISSION  

Building Community Through the Power of Live Music  

VISION

To contribute to the cultural heartbeat of the Southern Tier by ensuring that everyone has access to transformative, world-class musical experiences. We envision a vibrant, connected community where live orchestral and chamber music inspires lifelong learning, bridges divides, and enriches the lives of audiences across our 60-mile radius and beyond.

WHO WE ARE

Since 1955, the Binghamton Philharmonic has brought world-class live orchestral and chamber music to the Southern Tier and surrounding area, enriching our community across a 60-mile radius through inspiring performances, music education, and meaningful shared experiences.

Today, the Binghamton Philharmonic serves thousands of audience members, students, and community participants each year through concerts, educational programs, accessibility initiatives, and partnerships that help make the arts available to everyone.

Under the leadership of Music Director Daniel Hege, this professional union orchestra brings together exceptional talent from our very own region and beyond. While about a third of our musicians are based right here in the Southern Tier, the rest drive or fly in from the greater New York City area and across the country to join us for performances year-round.

Beyond the concert hall, the Philharmonic invests in the future through youth programs, free tickets for kids 17/under, community engagement, and innovative initiatives that use music to improve quality of life. Whether you are attending your first concert, subscribing for the season, supporting our mission more broadly, or exploring ways to leave a lasting legacy, you are helping ensure that great music continues to thrive in our community for generations to come.

HISTORY

The Binghamton Philharmonic is the Southern Tier’s largest and longest-serving professional symphony orchestra. It was founded by cellist/conductor Fritz Wallenberg and his wife, violinist Marianne Wallenberg, in 1955 as the Binghamton Symphony and Choral Society, with the purpose of performing live, full-scale orchestral works.

Fritz Wallenberg led the organization artistically until 1976, when he was succeeded as Music Director by David Loebel. From 1982 to 2003, John Covelli was Music Director of the Binghamton Symphony, and, from 2003 to 2016, José-Luis Novo served as Music Director of the Binghamton Philharmonic. Maestro Daniel Hege became Principal Guest Conductor in 2016 and was appointed Music Director in 2018. 

After its 1996 merger with the B.C. Pops–an orchestra formed in 1974 by Russell Hawkes and violinist/conductor David Agard–it expanded its audience and became the Binghamton Philharmonic. 

In 2024, the Binghamton Philharmonic was awarded the American Prize for Orchestral Performance, which recognized the ensemble's artistic excellence among American professional symphony orchestras.

Today, the Binghamton Philharmonic serves up to 10,000 people annually through innovative, engaging, and affordable programming, meeting its mission of “Building Community Through the Power of Live Music.”h the Power of Live Music.”