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DocuSign Envelope ID: 08671365-A26A-45AE-A1 BO-C9F674AC3364
<br /> Narrative Spring 2016 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 CHP's early years active membership was approximately 50 players and the
<br /> group played two or three concerts per season. In the past 16 years, under the leadership of
<br /> Prof. Donald Oehler, the orchestra has grown to more than 85 active players and now
<br /> presents four free concerts per season, reaching a total audience of around 1200 people each
<br /> year. The CHP is open to musicians without audition and draws members from Chapel Hill,
<br /> Carrboro, Pittsboro, Durham, Apex, Cary, Raleigh, Wake Forest, Sanford, Burlington, and
<br /> Mebane. Musicians span a wide range of occupations, including scientists, engineers,
<br /> teachers,physicians, homemakers, students, and faculty members. The youngest players are
<br /> usually in their teens, while the oldest are over 80. What they all share is a love of music
<br /> and a 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:
<br /> • Starting in 2001, the group has performed numerous concertos with professional
<br /> soloists, including hornists Kimberly van Pelt and Kurt Kellan; trumpeters Paul Neebe
<br /> and Tim Hudson; cimbalom player Petra Berenyi;pianists Barbara Rowan, Fritz
<br /> Whang, Elizabeth Tomlin, Greg McCallum, and Thomas Otten; saxophonist Matthew
<br /> McClure; clarinetist Donald Oehler; and violinists Yoram Youngerman and Jennifer
<br /> Curtis (partially funded by an Orange County Arts grant).
<br /> • Beginning in 2005, the group has given a few premieres of new works by
<br /> contemporary composers, including Eddie Bass (partially funded by an Orange
<br /> County Arts grant), Terry Mizesko, Jay Greenberg, Garth Molyneux, and Ann
<br /> Millikan.
<br /> • In 2008, the orchestra first teamed with vocal students from the UNC Music
<br /> Department to present a concert of opera arias and ensembles. Repeated again in
<br /> 2012 and 2014, these"Divafest"programs have allowed developing singers the rare
<br /> opportunity to appear with full orchestral accompaniment.
<br /> • Under the leadership of guest conductor Andrew McAfee, the orchestra initiated a
<br /> children's concert in 2007 and has made it an annual event since 2009. With
<br /> attendance of around 300 (evenly split between elementary-school-aged children and
<br /> adults), this concert in particular reaches beyond traditional classical music audiences.
<br /> The 2015 children's program was partially funded by an Orange County Arts grant.
<br /> • Starting in 2015, the orchestra has sponsored summer chamber music concerts
<br /> featuring orchestra members. Though this program is still in its infancy, the CHP
<br /> hopes to reach audiences in smaller, less formal venues through these concerts.
<br /> • The orchestra has also occasionally collaborated with other area ensembles, including
<br /> the Chapel Hill Community Chorus (2009), the Piedmont Youth Orchestra(2012),
<br /> and the Chapel Hill Youth Violin Ensemble(2012).
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