The Josiah W. and Bessie H. Kline Foundation has played an important role in the success of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra (HSO.) As the sponsor of the Principal Bassoon Chair, the Kline Foundation has offset a considerable expense of the symphony allowing the HSO to direct more funds to its educational programming that reaches thousands of students across the region each year.
The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra performed its first concert in March 1931 in the auditorium of the former William Penn High School in Harrisburg. With the hard work of passionate musicians and the support of the Harrisburg community, the symphony has flourished to become a fully professional orchestra and one of the Capital Region’s cornerstone cultural institutions. Now in its 83rd season, the HSO performs fourteen Masterworks series concerts, eight Capital BlueCross Pops concerts, four free Young Person’s Concerts, and a series of free outdoor concerts across the region each summer. Also of note are the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Harrisburg Symphony Junior Strings, comprised of middle and high school students from across the region that perform four public concerts each year. The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra is deeply grateful The Josiah W. and Bessie H. Kline Foundation for their loyal support.