NEWARK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
1966-1996
Founded in 1962 by Harley S. Hastings, the Newark Symphony Orchestra (NSO) initially was named the Newark School-Community Orchestra. Under Hastings, the Coordinator of Music for the Newark School District, the original six musicians gave the group's first performance at the Newark High School's Christmas program that year. By 1965, the group had 30 members. The 1966-67 concert season saw the orchestra adopt its current name, the Newark Symphony Orchestra, under which it has been incorporated as a non-profit organization in the State of Delaware. Throughout the years under Maestro Hastings' leadership, the Orchestra featured many renowned soloists, including both local stars, such as Leo Ahramjian and Peter McCarthy, and artists from the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera. The NSO has also played an important role in supporting student musicians. In 1966, radio station WHKN broadcast a series, "Newark Symphony Orchestra on the Air," sponsored by the Delmarva Power and Light Company. In 1969, this series received the coveted "Golden Mike" award as the best local radio program in American broadcast in the interest of youth. In 1979, the Newark Symphony Orchestra began an annual Young Musician's Competition, the winners of which perform at a public concert with the Orchestra. Many winners of this competition have gone on to impressive musical careers. Upon the retirement of Mr. Hastings in 1982, the Newark Symphony Orchestra selected Mr. Roman Pawlowski as the new Music Director. Under his direction, the Orchestra has grown musically and in numbers. Today, the NSO boasts 80 community musicians, playing for the enjoyment of participating in an orchestral ensemble. The Newark Symphony Orchestra is honored to be an integral part of the cultural and civic life of Newark, cooperating with the Music Department of the University of Delaware to provide orchestral experience for music students. In accordance with a proclamation by the City Council, Mayor William Redd declared the Newark Symphony to be the city's official orchestra. In its 30th year, the NSO continues to successfully fulfill its role as a community cultural institution.
NEWARK SYMPHONY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
1987-1996
The Newark Symphony Chamber Series debuted in the spring of 1987 with a program of solos and works for small orchestra. This series serves the purpose of addressing a whole additional repertoire that the large orchestra cannot accommodate and provides an opportunity to showcase members of the orchestra who have outstanding talent that would otherwise be buried in the large ensemble. The chamber series has featured a wider range of solo instruments than would be usual in a traditional symphonic setting, including violin, viola, cello flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, as well as organ, trombone, marimba, harpsichord, unaccompanied tuba and the Chinese zheng! The range of music offered covers the historic spectrum from "new" Renaissance polyphony of the 16th century to "new" music by living 20th century composers. For two seasons the series offered two performances of each concert: one in Newark and the other at Neumann College, Aston, PA. Since 1992, there has been one double performance per season, with shared players from the Delaware County Symphony and NSO. The series enjoyed the sponsorship of St. Thomas Episcopal Church and the first Presbyterian Church of Newark in the early seasons. Since 1992, our much-appreciated home has been the Newark United Methodist Church, with its outstanding acoustics and spectacular organ. Our series is a first! NSO was the first community orchestra in the region to initiate a chamber series. Two years later, the Delaware County Symphony began its chamber series, followed in 1996 by Immaculata College. All are directed by Roman Pawlowski. Finally, the chamber music series gave rise to the formation in 1992 of the Newark Ecumenical Chorus under Michael Harward, an entirely new organization that grew out of our needs.
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