ABOUT
The SYMPHONY
Nittany Valley Symphony is a full-sized symphony orchestra based in Central Pennsylvania established in 1967. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, NVS is committed to inspiring and enriching our diverse community through live concerts of the highest caliber symphonic music performed by professional and amateur musicians.
Our PEOPLE
Nittany Valley Symphony is a full-sized symphony orchestra based in Central Pennsylvania established in 1967. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, NVS is committed to inspiring and enriching our diverse community through live concerts of the highest caliber symphonic music performed by professional and amateur musicians.
Principal Musicians
Violin 1 - Joanne Zagst Feldman
Violin 2 - Sally Williams-Minnich
Viola - Matt Kumjian
Flute - Cathy Herrera
Oboe - Barry Kroeker
Clarinet - Brandy Davis
Bassoon - Trina Gallup
French Horn - Kathryn Beck
Trumpet - Herb McKinstry
Trombone - Bob LaBarca
Timpani - Kyle Haust
Percussion - Carol Lindsay
Music director: Timothy Farrand
After serving as guest conductor last season, Timothy Farrand has joined the Nittany Valley Symphony (NVS) as its permanent musical director and conductor.
“Tim brought new life and energy to us as our guest conductor last season, and so we are delighted to introduce him to you as our new music director and conductor,” said Elinor Lewis, president of the NVS board of directors and a violinist in the orchestra.
“I am excited to be a part of this next chapter with NVS as we begin our work together. I believe that the arts serve as the glue that holds communities together by shaping our cultural dynamic. As a community orchestra, NVS has a long tradition of being an artistic leader of Central PA and I look forward to continuing the orchestra's mission ‘to inspire and enrich our diverse community’ through live performances. This season we are proud to present programs that celebrate humanity's shared experiences and that highlight the role we play in the life of our society.”
Farrand, a conductor, pianist and writer, has served as the music director of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra and the Penn State Campus Orchestra, and worked for five years as the assistant conductor of the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra (PCO) under Music Director Yaniv Attar. In 2022, he returned to PCO as a guest conductor.
Additionally, Farrand has appeared as guest conductor with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, and cover conductor with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra (WSO). He returned to the WSO as a guest conductor in 2023.
He has held roles as the assistant conductor of the Penns Woods Musical Festival, Penn State University Orchestras, and spent five years as the conducting assistant to Maestra Teresa Cheung at the Altoona Symphony Orchestra.
In 20I9, Farrand made his operatic debut as the music director for the world premiere of the opera Leavings, which included performances at the Penns Woods Music Festival and Penn State Opera Theatre.
Starting his conducting studies at an early age, Farrand has participated in several workshops and festivals in the United States and abroad where he had the privilege of working with conductors Harold Farberman, Mark Gibson, Apo Hsu, Donald Portnoy, Maurice Peress, and Paul Vermel among many others. He spent two summers studying at the International Conducting Workshop and Festival in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he was mentored by Larry Rachleff and Donald Schleicher.
For the past four years, Farrand has been an adjunct professor at Penn State University in the Music Theory Department. He also maintains a piano studio in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. As a teacher, he strives to create a supportive atmosphere where students can develop their creativity and discover new avenues for expression.
In the Spring of 2021, Farrand founded Arts Undivided LLC, which advocates for active “exploration of the arts fueled by curiosity.” Through Arts Undivided, he produces content pertaining to a variety of art forms and artists with a focus on finding the connections that transcend boundaries, and advocating for the development of an open acceptance of ideas from across the spectrum of human experience.
Farrand received a bachelor of music degree in piano performance from Penn State, studying with Dr. Timothy Shafer. He continued his studies at Penn State as a graduate teaching assistant, where he received a master of music degree in orchestral conducting under the mentorship of Gerardo Edelstein, as well as a master of arts degree in music theory and music history.
He currently resides in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and maintains an active teaching and performing schedule centered on the use of the arts to strengthen our communities.
Executive director: Gabriel herrera
Bringing with him experience in fundraising, promotions, social media/website management, and concert production, Gabriel Herrera has joined the Nittany Valley Symphony (NVS) as executive director.
“We are excited to begin working with Gabriel Herrera,” said board president Lisa Schroeder. “People in this area may know him as an outstanding trombonist, but his experience goes well beyond performing. From the moment the search committee saw his resume, we saw the potential for him to partner with music director Timothy Farrand to take our community symphony orchestra to the next level and reach new audiences.”
Herrera brings with him experience in fundraising, promotions, social media and website management, office management, and board relations, along with experience in concert production.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team at NVS and am looking forward to bringing classical music to our Happy Valley community,” Herrera said. “This pivotal year as the symphony continues to re-establish itself in a post-pandemic landscape provides an opportunity to set a new status quo: as a community orchestra made up of both professionals and amateur musicians, we have the opportunity not only to entertain but also to connect, challenge and uplift. I hope to build upon Nittany Valley Symphony’s rich legacy of success by leveraging data-driven strategies to ensure institutional stability and solidify our status as one of Pennsylvania’s premier community orchestras.”
“I am excited to work closely with Gabriel as he steps into his new role with NVS,” music director and conductor Timothy Farrand said. “He possesses a rare combination of artistic and administrative talent, and his onstage experience gives him a unique understanding of the complex needs of an arts organization. I’ve always enjoyed our collaborations, and I’m confident that the qualities that make Gabriel an exceptional performer will translate seamlessly into his work behind the scenes as he supports NVS’s operations moving forward.
Herrera earned a B.A. in philosophy and jazz studies from Columbia University, where he graduated with honors in music. He is currently pursuing a master of music in trombone performance at Penn State, where he is also a graduate assistant for the jazz and trombone departments.
In addition to an active performing career with groups such as the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, Buzz Jones Big Band, and Zeropoint Big Band, he is the founder and bandleader of several professional music ensembles across New York and Pennsylvania including the Happy Valley Jazz Octet, Happy Valley Trombone Quartet, Gabriel Herrera Big Band, and Gabriel Herrera Quartet. He also has a diverse set of corporate finance, fundraising, and business experience at firms including investment firm Hunter Point Capital, global financial institution Bank of America, and consulting firm Cervitude Intelligent Relations.
The Nittany Valley Symphony Guild
The Nittany Valley Symphony Guild has been formed to work in conjunction with the Board of Directors of the NVS in whatever capacities are necessary, including hospitality, sales, public relations, education, fund-raising and office support. The Guild's goals are to assist the board with development, to expand the Symphony's audience and to promote a broad public appreciation of music.
Guild activities and membership are open to anyone in the public who wishes to support the Nittany Valley Symphony and our educational programs. Applications are due November 1, 2024 and annual dues are $35 per person. Your membership dues help the Guild help NVS with fundraising and are the operating income to fund Guild activities including our annual poinsettia sale. For more information on membership and/or activities of the guild, please contact the NVS office at [email protected].