| The Warren Civic Orchestra was formed in 1952
by many prominent citizens of the Warren community, with
Barbara Baldwin Defrees as the driving force. Barbara
had a great interest in developing and supporting the
arts in the Warren area and was a member of the orchestra
for many years playing in the second violin section. Barbara
continued to support the Warren Civic Orchestra throughout
her lifetime and provided for the orchestra as part of
a charitable trust after her death. It is because of Barbara
Baldwin Defrees that the Warren Civic Orchestra is still
alive and viable after fifty seven plus years. Other supporters
during the early years were Helen Logan, Chris and Georgia
Pepke, Everett Stokes, Helen Olson, John L. Blair, Nelson
Johnson, Sylvia Scalise, Geraldine Blair, and Jean Robertson.
The purpose of forming the Warren Civic Orchestra was
to provide an outlet where qualified adult musicians
had the opportunity to rehearse and perform together
to foster music performance and appreciation in Warren
and the surrounding communities. These purposes remain
today.
The first conductor of the orchestra was Harry Summers,
then a music instructor in the Warren school system.
After Harry Summers retired the position was held by
Carl Stout, Dick West, Dan Harpster, Dr. Jaropolk Lassowsky,
Dr. Marian Dura, and the current conductor, Bryan Eckenrode.
Our orchestra members come not only from Warren County
and Russell, but from other surrounding communities.
Current members also hail from Dubois, Kane, Ludlow,
St. Mary's, Clarion, Spring Creek, Oil City, Franklin,
Jamestown NY, and Panama NY. Under the current direction
of Bryan Eckenrode, we have the largest ensemble in
the past twenty years. Bryan has provided new direction
to the orchestra through his choice of challenging and
engaging music, his selection of soloists, and his introduction
of dance and theater elements into the orchestra concert
programs.
There are no auditions for orchestra positions, and
qualified musicians are invited to call if interested
in performing with us. Students may be invited to play
with the orchestra upon recommendation from their private
instructor. Please call (814) 723-9910 if you are interested
in becoming a member.
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