JAC Management announces agreement with DeYor, future of Youngstown Symphony
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – JAC Management Group announced a new 10-year management agreement for the DeYor Performing Arts Center.
The announcement was made on Tuesday morning.
The agreement allows JAC Management to assume full management and operations of the DeYor Performing Arts Center, which includes the Edward W. Powers Auditorium, Ford Family Recital Hall and Eleanor Beecher Flad Pavilion.
The company will handle event scheduling and bookings and ticketing services, as well as food and beverage operations.
The company also agreed to terms with Stambaugh Auditorium to oversee local arts and cultural programming at DeYor.
JAC Management Group is an entertainment facilities management company that is responsible for events such as Y-Live and the grandstand entertainment at the Canfield Fair. The company also manages several venues already, including the Covelli Centre in Youngstown and Packard Music Hall in Warren.
Also announced Tuesday was the future of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.
The Symphony was acquired by the Henry H. Stambaugh Auditorium Association on Sept. 19. An agreement was also made with the Musicians of the Youngstown Symphony through AFM Local 86-242, extending it to Aug. 31, 2027.
The deal with JAC brings DeYor, Stambaugh and the Symphony Society under one team.
“To make sure that the facilities that we manage can operate in perpetuity and operate not only operationally but operate financially because at the end of the day, you have to be financially responsible,” said Eric Ryan with JAC Management.
Erik Ochsner is taking over as the new music director of the orchestra. He’ll be leading the orchestra when the new season begins.
The 2025/2026 season is still being planned, though it will be shorter than last season due to its late start. It is scheduled to open with a holiday “pops” concert on Monday, Dec. 22, in the Concert Hall at Stambaugh Auditorium.
The 2025/2026 season will take place at Stambaugh Auditorium, while the orchestra will continue to present concerts at DeYor, as well as Stambaugh, in the 2026/2027 season.
Additional dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Youngstown Symphony will also be the orchestra for Ballet Western Reserve’s production of “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 6 and 7 in Powers Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now for that production.
More information on the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra’s season can be found on its website.