YOUNGSTOWN The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra (YSO) welcomed its new music director on Saturday with a live performance at Stambaugh Auditorium.

Erik Ochsner, YSO director, led the orchestra in performing "Fantastique!," a lineup of songs curated to bring both the players and audience out of their comfort zones. 

"I've been thinking about the musical health of the orchestra, the musical health of the audience," Ochsner said. "I want to push the players to read new music, new pieces."

With the musical lineup of the night being coined "Erik's Playlist" by the director himself, he said that the music tells a story and that each piece has some connection to him.

The new director stated that he hopes to bring educational programs back to the YSO and re-establish a chorus. 

Ochsner says that money should never be a hurdle for students of any kind to hear and see classical music live, and that any student with a student identification can approach the box office window to enter any YSO performance for free.

Another concert is set for March, entitled "Sinatra and Beyond," featuring singer Tony DeSare, and will consist of songs by Frank Sinatra. More information can be found on YSO's website.