Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra

The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra is Broome County's only professional symphony orchestra—as well as the only professional symphony orchestra within 60 miles—and one of the Southern Tier's largest and longest-serving arts organizations in the Southern Tier.

The Binghamton Philharmonic was founded by cellist/conductor Fritz Wallenberg and violinist Marianne Wallenberg in 1955 as the Binghamton Symphony and Choral Society, with the purpose of performing live, full-scale orchestral works. After its 1996 merger with the B.C. Pops (formed in 1974 by Russell Hawkes and violinist/conductor David Agard), it became the Binghamton Philharmonic.

By 2017, it updated its mission to “building community through the power of live music,” adding outreach to its artistic, cultural, and educational output. Daniel Hege has led the Orchestra since 2016. In 2024, the Philharmonic was awarded the American Prize for Orchestral Performance, which recognized its artistic excellence among American professional symphony orchestras.

In line with its mission of  “Building Community through the Power of Live Music,”  the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra makes live music accessible to all through innovative, engaging, and affordable programming both within and beyond the concert hall.

The Philharmonic enriches the area's cultural life by connecting professional musicians with audiences for collaborations, concerts, and educational programs that stimulate the economy and expand music's possibilities for a broad constituency.

In addition to presenting seasons of orchestral concerts, the Philharmonic also presents a wide variety of educational outreach programs that engage all members of the community.