2022-501-E-Arts Commission-Chapel Hill Philharmonia-2022-23 arts grant

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Organization Description The Chapel Hill Philharmonia (CHP) was formed in 1983 to prov ide a setting for local amateur musicians to meet and perform together as a symphony orchestra. The CHP’s mission has remained consistent ov er time: • Offer accomplished v olunteer adult and student instrumentalists an opportunity to play together in an orchestra • Inspire both adults and children to appreciate, study, and play classical music by prov iding free classical music concerts • Encourage musicians of all ages to striv e for musical excellence In the CHP’s early years activ e membership was approximately 50 players and the group played two or three concerts per season. Since the year 2000, under the leadership of Prof. Donald Oehler, the orchestra has grown to more than 85 activ e players and now presents four free concerts per season, reaching a total audience of around 1200 people each year. The CHP is open to musicians without audition and draws members from all across the Triangle area. Musicians span a wide range of occupations, including scientists, engineers, teachers, physicians, homemakers, students, and faculty members. The youngest players are sometimes still in their teens, while the oldest are ov er 80. In addition to growing in size, the orchestra has broadened the scope of its activ ities in recent years: • Beginning in 2005, the group has giv en a few premieres of new works by contemporary composers, including Eddie Bass, Terry Mizesko, Jay Greenberg, Garth Molyneux, and Ann Millikan. • In 2008, the orchestra first teamed with v ocal students from the UNC Music Department to present a concert of opera arias and ensembles. Repeated again in 2012 and 2014, these “Div afest” programs allow dev eloping singers the rare opportunity to appear with full orchestral accompaniment. • Under the leadership of guest conductor Andrew McAfee, the orchestra initiated a children’s concert in 2007 and has made it an annual ev ent since 2009. W ith attendance of around 300 (ev enly split between elementary-school-aged children and adults), this concert in particular reaches beyond traditional classical music audiences. • The orchestra has also occasionally collaborated with other area ensembles, including the Chapel Hill Community Chorus (2009), the Piedmont Youth Orchestra (2012), and the Chapel Hill Youth Violin Ensemble (2012). The CHP is gov erned by a board of directors elected from the ranks of the orchestra. Most organizational chores are performed by v olunteers, though the music librarians and stage managers are paid a nominal fee. The CHP is planning four different free concert programs for 2022- 2023 and is also supporting its annual Young Artist Competition. DocuSign Envelope ID: E8FD4B12-89A2-43D4-995F-D78342A0F716