New Youngstown Symphony conductor prepares for his first concert

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – The new conductor of the Youngstown Symphony is back and working toward his first concert.

Sergey Bogza was hired as the new conductor of the Youngstown Symphony in June. He’s also been known to perform in small settings with members of the Panama City Symphony which he also directs.

Right now, Bogza is picking musicians for Youngstown, listening to clarinets, horns, and double basses this week.

“Picking the right approach that we want for Youngstown Symphony is pretty exciting,” Bogza said.

Rehearsals start soon for the first show. It’s a combination of Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, and Queen.

“It’s sort of like in that famous book, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn sitting on a window, looking outside and thinking, I’m just going to go for it and go explore the world. And that’s what this concert is,” he said.

Powers Auditorium will come to life when 2,300 seats are full and Bogza wants soul from his orchestra too.

“Our genuine desire to be of service, to inspire and to move people’s hearts with a variety of programming,” he said.

Bogza believes joining the Youngstown Symphony is a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow. He also feels freedom to share what he loves about orchestra with the Mahoning Valley.

“And eventually to arrive at a place where there’s the synchronicity between the community, between the arts — and everyone is just happy and proud of their city and the art forms and what they as citizens can enjoy from their Youngstown Symphony Orchestra,” Bogza said.

Bogza’s first concert is Oct. 5.

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