Conductors, judges, artists: Here are the women Morning Call readers named as difference-makers in the Lehigh Valley
By MOLLY BILINSKI
THE MORNING CALL
MAR 21, 2022
9:00 AM
Last month, The Morning Call asked readers to tell us about women who have made a difference in the Lehigh Valley.Dozens of readers responded by suggesting residents who have helped the community through their work, volunteerism and mentorship of area youth. Below, learn about some of the women whom readers say should be recognized for their hard work and impact on the region, in honor of Women’s History Month.
Due to the overwhelming number of nominations, The Morning Call plans to publish several of these spotlight pieces throughout the month. Don’t see someone you suggested? They may have been in an earlier story, or declined to be included.
Diane Wittry
Allentown Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor Diane Wittry was described as “a guiding leader in Allentown’s revitalization through the arts.” Wittry joined the orchestra in the mid-1990s, when the typical season included five subscription concerts and two school concerts. Through years of work, she expanded the season with a pops series, family concerts, an orchestral chorus and more, all while identifying young upcoming artists to be featured as soloists.
“The reason I’m a conductor is I just so firmly believe that orchestral music can move people to the core of their being,” she said. ” … And that’s why I’m so passionate about bringing this music to everyone. And if people can’t come to [Miller Symphony Hall], I try to figure out ways that we can go to the schools, that we can go to communities.”
The symphony’s third music director, Wittry pivoted to virtual concerts during the COVID-19 pandemic, and launched a program called “Symphony Serenades,” sending musicians to play everything from music from the 1700s to modern jazz in city neighborhoods.
“The community outreach that we’ve been able to expand to really serve the region in so many different ways and to reach people of all different ages and all different backgrounds, economic backgrounds, racial backgrounds, and just trying to always move us forward to be impactful is something that’s important to me,” Wittry said.
Diane Wittry: 20 years leading the Allentown Symphony Orchestra »
It’s unusual for a conductor to retain a post for as long as Wittry, but there are several reasons why she’s stayed, including attracting talent from Philadelphia or New York. “The ability to work with really, really quality players, the commitment of the players that were already here is phenomenal,” she said. “We have players that have played for 50 years. We had players that played for four years. Thirty percent of the orchestra has played for 25 years or more; they have huge commitment to this orchestra. And the orchestra has a really, really positive spirit about it.
” … The ability to be able to create my art in the most creative way has really kept me excited,” she said. “And also, the fact that I’ve never felt that we’ve stood still. … We’re always open to finding more and more ways to reach different aspects of our community and to partner with different people in our community. And that gets me really, really excited.”