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DocuSign Envelope ID:870374C9-FE3B-4037-9CA6-43465C92C83A
<br /> Narrative 2014-2015 Arts Program Application
<br /> Organizational Profile
<br /> The Chapel Hill Philharmonia(CHP), originally named the Village Orchestra,was
<br /> formed in 1983 to provide a setting for local amateur musicians to meet and perform together
<br /> as a symphony orchestra. The CHP's four-fold mission has remained consistent over time:
<br /> • Offer accomplished volunteer adult and student instrumentalists an opportunity to
<br /> play together in an orchestra
<br /> • Provide an environment that allows orchestra members to develop their musical
<br /> talents
<br /> • Inspire both adults and children to appreciate, study, and play classical music by
<br /> providing free classical music concerts
<br /> • Encourage musicians of all ages to strive for musical excellence
<br /> In the CUP's early years active membership was approximately 50 players and the group
<br /> played two or three concerts per season. In the last 15 years,under the leadership of Prof.
<br /> Donald Oehler,the orchestra has grown to more than 75 active players and now presents four
<br /> concerts per season,reaching a total audience of around 1200 people each year. The CUP is
<br /> open to musicians without audition and draws members from Chapel Hill, Carrboro,
<br /> Pittsboro,Durham,Apex, Cary,Raleigh, Wake Forest, Sanford,Burlington, and Mebane.
<br /> Musicians span a wide range of occupations, including scientists, engineers,teachers,
<br /> physicians, homemakers, students, and faculty members. The youngest players are usually in
<br /> their teens,while the oldest are over 80. What they all share is a love of music and a
<br /> commitment to playing it for their enjoyment and the enjoyment of others.
<br /> In addition to growing in size,the orchestra has broadened the scope of its activities in
<br /> recent years. Starting in 2001,the group has performed numerous concertos with
<br /> professional soloists, including Kimberly van Pelt(French horn),Paul Neebe(trumpet), Petra
<br /> Berenyi (cimbalom),Barbara Rowan(piano),Fritz Whang(piano), Tim Hudson(trumpet),
<br /> Kurt Kellan(French horn),Elizabeth Tomlin(piano),Matthew McClure (saxophone),Yoram
<br /> Youngerman(violin), and Greg McCallum(piano). Beginning in 2005,the group has given a
<br /> few premieres of new works by local composers, including Eddie Bass(partially funded by
<br /> an Orange County Arts grant), Terry Mizesko,Jay Greenberg, and Garth Molyneux. The
<br /> orchestra initiated a children's concert in 2007 and has made that an annual event since 2009.
<br /> Reaching around 150 elementary-school-age children each year,this concert in particular
<br /> reaches beyond traditional classical music audiences. In 2008,the orchestra first teamed with
<br /> vocal students from the UNC Music Department to present a concert of opera arias and
<br /> ensembles. Repeated again in 2012 and 2014,these"Divafest"programs have allowed
<br /> developing singers the rare opportunity to appear with full orchestral accompaniment. The
<br /> orchestra has also occasionally collaborated with other area ensembles, including the Chapel
<br /> Hill Community Chorus(2009),the Piedmont Youth Orchestra(2012), and the Chapel Hill
<br /> Youth Violin Ensemble (2012).
<br /> The orchestra has always been primarily supported by member donations. The CHP
<br /> started a small endowment fund last year and has also had some success with local grants.
<br /> Unfortunately, last year, due to university budget constraints,the CHP began paying an
<br /> annual rental bill of$1500 for the use of space in Hill Hall,adding more than 10%to its
<br /> annual expenses. Next year Hill Hall Auditorium will be under renovations, so the group will
<br /> incur still more costs to rent venue space for its performances.The group's revenue plan for
<br /> the current year is 76%from member donations, 6%from endowment returns, and 18%from
<br /> outside sources.
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