SYMPHONY: The Southern Tier Symphony is readying for the start of its 15th season.

The Olean, N.Y.-based orchestra travels across the border into Bradford, Pennsylvania, to perform — as it will this season.

In fact, each of its three 2017-18 season series will include a performance at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. This is the first year for conductor Benjamin Grow to head the Southern Tier Symphony.

The 33-year-old has big shoes to fill.

Grow will be replacing music director and Southern Tier Symphony founder John Cary Whitney.

Whitney died Nov. 17, 2014.

A musician, conductor, teacher and all-around music guy, Whitney founded the local orchestra in September 2002.

Trained in college as a music teacher, he taught at the West Genesee School District before becoming a professor of music at the University of Central Florida. He then taught in the Olean City School District and the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts.

Whitney had performed and conducted orchestras not only in several states, but also in several countries and with a number of popular musicians.

His love for his craft inspired him to start the Southern Tier Symphony when he moved back to the area.

Series I of this season, “Mendelssohn, Dvorak & More,” will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Olean High School and 3 p.m. Oct. 1 at Pitt-Bradford.

Series II, “Symphony Pops,” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 at Olean High School and 3 p.m. Jan. 28 at Pitt-Bradford.

Series III, “Spring Serenade,” will take place at 7:30 p.m. May 19 at Olean High School and 3 p.m. May 20 at Pitt-Bradford.

Grow will give a pre-concert “conductor talk” 45 minutes before each performance.