Here is a summary written by long-time member cellist, Richard Clark.
The Chapel Hill Philharmonia: the first twenty-five years
In early 1983 Joel Carter, retired choral director at UNC-Chapel Hill, and Ed
Jackson, an amateur French horn player, with the encouragement of other Chapel
Hill instrumentalists, including Susan Strobel and Jerry and Barbara Hulka,
organized a community-based recreational reading orchestra. From the beginning
the Village Orchestra was a model of positive town/gown interaction -- in fact
the bass player was Mayor Ken Broun. The orchestra's first conductor was George
Taylor, violist of Duke's Ciompi Quartet. Thursday evening rehearsals in Hill
Hall were special times for the approximately fifty founding members, primarily
amateur musicians from Chapel Hill and Durham. Many had not been able to play
regularly in the Triangle, and the opportunity to play orchestral music
together in friendly atmosphere under professional leadership was highly
motivating. With Taylor's imminent departure to the Eastman School of Music,
the baton passed to the husband and wife team of Brent Wissick, UNC faculty
cellist, and Ruth Johnson, professional violinist and Suzuki teacher. Brent and
Ruth emphasized the recreational aspects of the musical experience. They
established the tradition of twice yearly performances, termed "open dress
rehearsals" or informal "publick actes," avoiding the stressful "C word"
(concert). Small but enthusiastic audiences in Hill Hall auditorium consisted
almost entirely of close friends and family members. Programs were dominated by
short, light works and occasional excerpts from symphonies, followed by
receptions.
In the spring of 1989, Edgar Alden, retired UNC violin professor and Music
Department chair, became conductor. His wife Dorothy, also a fine professional
violinist, became principal second violin. The Village Orchestra grew and for
the first time tackled entire symphonies. Performances were now called "Musical
Evenings" and the orchestra began to attract attention beyond the confines of
the "Village" of Chapel Hill. Membership, as it does today, consisted almost
entirely of amateur musicians with widely varying levels of expertise. Players
range in age from teens to octogenarians, and their day jobs reflect the unique
academic community in which we live. Membership is open without audition to all
who love to play their instruments, and are willing to donate a modest sum each
semester to help pay the conductor and cover music costs.
Since 1993 the orchestra has been directed by Professor Donald Oehler, UNC-CH
faculty clarinetist and a devoted supporter of amateur musicians. Under his
enthusiastic "can do" leadership, the orchestra's repertoire has become more
ambitious. Recent concerts have included commissioned works and premieres by
local composers and orchestra members. We no longer avoid the "C word." This
season we performed four concerts, including one for a young audience. Our
winter concert usually features amateur soloists from the orchestra's
increasingly experienced membership of over 80 instrumentalists.
A satisfying function of the orchestra since its inception has been the
sponsorship of an annual concerto contest for local pre-college musicians.
Winners receive cash awards and, more importantly, the opportunity to perform
in the orchestra's spring concert. Many of our previous winners are now
accomplished professional musicians or students at nationally ranked
conservatories. In keeping with the amicable town/gown relationship fostered by
the founders, the Music Department continues to graciously provide practice and
performance spaces in Hill Hall, and to make available sheet music, stands, and
percussion instruments. The orchestra in turn encourages select UNC students to
participate and schedules an annual "Diva Fest", affording UNC voice students a
chance to rehearse arias with a live orchestra. We also contribute each year to
a Music Department scholarship and donate new sheet music to the university
library.
In 2002 the Board decided to adopt our present name -- the Chapel Hill
Philharmonia. Our informal and undisciplined small reading orchestra of 25
years ago has morphed into the larger, more sophisticated community cultural
resource that you hear today, and can learn more about at our web site (www.chapelhillphilharmonia.org). However, we
remain unique in the Triangle as a non-auditioned amateur group that "pays to
play," and our concerts are still free! We are now a tax-exempt organization
and receive financial help from an increasing list of patrons and charitable
organizations. We look forward to what the next twenty-five years may bring and
appreciate the continued support of our community and UNC-CH.
The Chapel Hill Philharmonia: the first twenty-five years
In early 1983 Joel Carter, retired choral director at UNC-Chapel Hill, and Ed
Jackson, an amateur French horn player, with the encouragement of other Chapel
Hill instrumentalists, including Susan Strobel and Jerry and Barbara Hulka,
organized a community-based recreational reading orchestra. From the beginning
the Village Orchestra was a model of positive town/gown interaction -- in fact
the bass player was Mayor Ken Broun. The orchestra's first conductor was George
Taylor, violist of Duke's Ciompi Quartet. Thursday evening rehearsals in Hill
Hall were special times for the approximately fifty founding members, primarily
amateur musicians from Chapel Hill and Durham. Many had not been able to play
regularly in the Triangle, and the opportunity to play orchestral music
together in friendly atmosphere under professional leadership was highly
motivating. With Taylor's imminent departure to the Eastman School of Music,
the baton passed to the husband and wife team of Brent Wissick, UNC faculty
cellist, and Ruth Johnson, professional violinist and Suzuki teacher. Brent and
Ruth emphasized the recreational aspects of the musical experience. They
established the tradition of twice yearly performances, termed "open dress
rehearsals" or informal "publick actes," avoiding the stressful "C word"
(concert). Small but enthusiastic audiences in Hill Hall auditorium consisted
almost entirely of close friends and family members. Programs were dominated by
short, light works and occasional excerpts from symphonies, followed by
receptions.
In the spring of 1989, Edgar Alden, retired UNC violin professor and Music
Department chair, became conductor. His wife Dorothy, also a fine professional
violinist, became principal second violin. The Village Orchestra grew and for
the first time tackled entire symphonies. Performances were now called "Musical
Evenings" and the orchestra began to attract attention beyond the confines of
the "Village" of Chapel Hill. Membership, as it does today, consisted almost
entirely of amateur musicians with widely varying levels of expertise. Players
range in age from teens to octogenarians, and their day jobs reflect the unique
academic community in which we live. Membership is open without audition to all
who love to play their instruments, and are willing to donate a modest sum each
semester to help pay the conductor and cover music costs.
Since 1993 the orchestra has been directed by Professor Donald Oehler, UNC-CH
faculty clarinetist and a devoted supporter of amateur musicians. Under his
enthusiastic "can do" leadership, the orchestra's repertoire has become more
ambitious. Recent concerts have included commissioned works and premieres by
local composers and orchestra members. We no longer avoid the "C word." This
season we performed four concerts, including one for a young audience. Our
winter concert usually features amateur soloists from the orchestra's
increasingly experienced membership of over 80 instrumentalists.
A satisfying function of the orchestra since its inception has been the
sponsorship of an annual concerto contest for local pre-college musicians.
Winners receive cash awards and, more importantly, the opportunity to perform
in the orchestra's spring concert. Many of our previous winners are now
accomplished professional musicians or students at nationally ranked
conservatories. In keeping with the amicable town/gown relationship fostered by
the founders, the Music Department continues to graciously provide practice and
performance spaces in Hill Hall, and to make available sheet music, stands, and
percussion instruments. The orchestra in turn encourages select UNC students to
participate and schedules an annual "Diva Fest", affording UNC voice students a
chance to rehearse arias with a live orchestra. We also contribute each year to
a Music Department scholarship and donate new sheet music to the university
library.
In 2002 the Board decided to adopt our present name -- the Chapel Hill
Philharmonia. Our informal and undisciplined small reading orchestra of 25
years ago has morphed into the larger, more sophisticated community cultural
resource that you hear today, and can learn more about at our web site (www.chapelhillphilharmonia.org). However, we
remain unique in the Triangle as a non-auditioned amateur group that "pays to
play," and our concerts are still free! We are now a tax-exempt organization
and receive financial help from an increasing list of patrons and charitable
organizations. We look forward to what the next twenty-five years may bring and
appreciate the continued support of our community and UNC-CH.
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