Butler County Symphony Receives Grand Donation from 99-Year-Old Superfan

BUTLER COUNTY, PA (May 30, 2025) – The Butler County Symphony Orchestra (BCSO) celebrated its 75th birthday in 2025. Shirley Mould was at their very first concert in 1949.

The music association shared on their social media Friday that Mould, 99, gifted a new grand piano to the orchestra. The post states that she has been a supporter for more than seven decades, and this contribution will ensure that her legacy will be with the group for many more years.

In addition to being an avid concert-goer, Mould served as a BCSO board member and previously ran a consignment store whose proceeds benefited the symphony.

“Shirley's lifelong devotion to the BCSO, and her enduring passion for music, serve as a powerful reminder that the arts flourish through the dedication of individuals.” said BCSO Executive Director Edward DeSantis “This generosity strengthens our musical heritage - rooted in her attendance at our very first concert over 75 years ago - but also ensures that the entire community will continue to experience the transformative power of music for generations to come.”

When presenting her gift at the Butler Symphony Office, Mould met with the orchestra’s newest music director Moon Doh. Doh was announced as the new director at the beginning of May. He was selected following a two-year search from a field of over 150 applicants, representing 23 states and 11 countries.

Mould’s gift and Doh’s appointment point towards a bright and harmonious future for the music-making organization.