Making Joyful Music
Our mission is to expand the appreciation and love for classical music across multiple generations in Lancaster County by making great music accessible in new, friendly and playful ways.
About Us
Since its first concert in June 2002, Allegro Orchestra Lancaster has brought joyful music to the Lancaster community. Inspired by the vision of Founder and Artistic Director, Dr. Brian Norcross, the ensemble embodies the classic definition of music by Catherine Drinker Bowen as a “conversation between friends.” Most of Allegro’s immensely talented professional players are from Lancaster County. Their love of great music – and of playing together – shows in every performance.
Our mission is to expand the appreciation and love for classical music across multiple generations in Lancaster County by making great music accessible in new, friendly and playful ways. Join us!
Artistic Leadership
Dr. Brian Norcross
Artistic Director
Dr. Brian Norcross is not only the Artistic Director of Allegro Orchestra Lancaster but also one of its founders. His passion for creating a joyful experience when conducting, playing and listening to classical music drives much of Allegro’s artistic vision and audience experience.
Many people know Brian from Franklin & Marshall College where he is the Conductor of Instrumental Ensembles. He is also well known around the community as the Director of Music at First United Methodist Church.
He and his wife Kim have four children: Molly, Megan, Greyson and Gloria.
Melody Cliff
Concert Master
Allegro is thrilled to have the talented Melody Cliff as its concert master. Melody has been performing with Allegro since 2008. She is passionate about sharing the joy of music with the next generation of musicians and audiences alike. Melody is the orchestra director at Lower Dauphin Middle and High Schools, where she has taught for over 10 years.
A native of Elizabethtown, she was a violin student of Odin Rathnam, Melinda Daetsch, and Michael Jamanis. Melody studied Music Education at Lancaster Bible College and earned her Master's Degree in Violin Performance from West Chester University, where she studied with Sylvia Ahramjian.
Melody lives in downtown Lancaster with her husband Bill and their two sons, Griffin and Gavin.
Zachary Levi
Assistant Conductor
Zachary Levi is Allegro's Assistant Conductor and NextGEN Youth Orchestra's Overture Conductor. He is also the high school orchestra director in the Southern York County School District as well as the orchestra director at York College. In addition to teaching and conducting, Zach is an active cellist performing with Allegro and the York Symphony. He lives in Columbia with his wife Johanna and their son, Samuel.
Board Members
Gene Clark
Scott Cullen
Zach Fried, President
Carl Hartman
Ken Husler
Catrina Laubach, Treasurer
Beth Lavender
Anne Nye
Stephanie Stauffer
Betsy Swartz
Gary Troxell
Musicians
Bass
Brian Krauss
John Yerger
Bassoon
Kimberly Buchar
Ralph Lehman
Robin Plant
Cello
Brian Mishler
Ellen Eager
John Caldwell
Steve Lavender
Zach Levi
Clarinet
Bev Butts
Christy Banks
Jill Gagliardi
Rob Shaubach
Flute
Benjamin Martin
CJ Flint
Jana MacKay
Harp
Horn
James Rester
Jill Graybill
Kris Albert
Leah Jorgensen
Lori Groff
Oboe
Jill Hoffmann
Kathy Horein
Percussion
Bob Nowak
Dan Heslink
Jud Brill
Mark Yingling
Tom Blanchard
Piano
Trombone
Andrew Walls
Clay Sattazahn
Joseph Snyder
Stefan Weibe
Trumpet
Tuba
Bill Grager
Bruce Smith
Michael Banks
Viola
Brook Mead
Jody Greve
John Hamilton
Marianne Kelly
Violin
Amanda Krauss
Betsy Swartz
Catherine Baker
Chi Park
Corrinne White
Joanna Levi
John Herr
Katelyn Kiehl
MaryLee Yerger
Maya Shih
Melody Cliff
Michael Lambertson
Sharon Lambertson
Stephanie McCullough
Tara Kenkelen
Todd Sullivan
Interested in Playing for Allegro?
Allegro Orchestra Lancaster is open to outstanding performers who demonstrate a high level of musicianship and who reflect Allegro’s mission of sharing a joyful experience with audience members of all ages. To be considered, a player must receive a recommendation from a current Allegro member. The player will then be invited to perform with Allegro in a series of rehearsals for evaluation. Based on their musicianship, attitude, and connection to the mission of Allegro, they may be invited to become a member of Allegro Orchestra Lancaster. Interested musicians are invited to contact Artistic Director, Dr. Brian Norcross, at brian.norcross@fandm.edu.
Interested in joining the Board?
We're currently looking for new board members. Contact us!
Photo Gallery
To view a variety of photos from our concerts and events, click here.