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NEWARK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ALUMNI
One of Harley Hastings' prime purposes in establishing the orchestra was to give students the opportunity to perform orchestral literature as players or as soloists with the orchestra. Many student graduates of the Orchestra have gone on to pursue successful musical careers. The professional biographies of several such alumni follow this article. The accomplishments of these individuals are impressive. David Chalmers soloed on piano with the Newark Symphony Orchestra while a senior in High School. He graduated from Westminster Choir College with degrees in piano and organ.

Beth Teoli, violinist, Bill Helmers, clarinetist, and Judith LeClair, bassoonist, played with the orchestra during their junior high and/or high school years. Beth has both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in music from Yale University, and pursued her DMA from North Texas State University. Judy and Bill graduated from the Eastman School of Music. Bill then earned his Master's degree from Juilliard and then became a member of the Milwaukee Symphony. After graduation, Judy joined the San Diego Symphony, then later became first chair bassoonist with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mark Hamilton, Robert Lambert, Arthur Marks, Tracy McGinnes, Sara Jane Neale, and Barbara Sauer-Prugh are six former high school or college student players who are establishing careers in music. Robert plays principal and solo trumpet with the US Army Field Band in Washington, DC. Arthur plays string bass with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Tracy, a University of Delaware graduate, played bassoon with the Delaware Symphony and plays with a major symphony in South Africa. Sara Jane, cellist, free lances in the Minneapolis area and plays with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Keith Berry played in the Newark Symphony while in high school and was winner of the Newark Symphony Orchestra competition for Young Artists. He is a graduate of Hartt Conservatory of Music, Hartford, Connecticut, and is a band director in Southington, Connecticut.

The Newark Symphony student soloist competitions began in the fall of 1978 and have continued annually since then. Many winners of these competitions, who thereafter performed with the Orchestra, have gone on to greater heights in music.

Many other Newark Symphony student players have received various music and music related degrees and are pursuing musical careers. These include violinist, Rodney Allen; trombonists: Scott Claybaugh, Dave Fogg, and Rocky Snyder; trumpeters: Jay Snyder and Eric Perkins; french horn: Jill Gordon-Mears and Denise Wilder, clarinet: Susan Lovett; oboe: Charles Leasure; bassoon and harpsichord: Lori Teel-Hippschen; and bassoon/music therapist, Jane Cannon Clark.

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