Today marks the kickoff of the 2008-09 Herald Concert Series, starring the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in New Castle.

An ad containing details about the concert packages, which include tickets to shows, coach transportation and pre-concert dinner, appears on page D-8 today.

In addition to The Herald and the Pittsburgh Symphony, other partners in the three-show series are Anderson Coach & Travel, Sugar Grove Township, and the new Avalon Golf and Country Club at Buhl Park in Hermitage.

Six packages are being offered, some containing options for upper-level or lower-level seating as well as optional dinner.

New to the partnership this year is the Avalon Country Club on Forker Boulevard, formerly the Sharon Country Club. In previous years, pre-concert dinners were served in the Normandy Banquet Center of the Hickory VFW.

Monday, Oct. 6, 8 p.m.

The popular Marvin Hamlisch returns as guest conductor of the symphony. Internationally acclaimed Broadway star Linda Eder sings the music of Judy Garland, with signature songs such as “By Myself,” “Me and My Shadow” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” among them.

Friday, Jan. 9, 8 p.m.

This show, which has Lawrence Loh as conductor, features the overture from Rossini’s comedic opera “La Scala di Seta.” Orion Weiss, the American pianist, performs Grieg’s popular and only “Piano Concerto.” Tony Award-winning vocalist Debbie Gravitte performs famous Broadway hits, including “Memory,” “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” “From This Moment On” and others.

Thursday, May 7, 8 p.m.

The show, featuring Manfred Honeck as conductor, is highlighted by Higdon’s melodic “Blue Cathedral,” Strauss’s stimulating tone poem, “Death and Transfiguration,” and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7.”