Rochester Philharmonic League

The League was founded in 1929 as a support group for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. For over 75 years, the two organizations have worked closely together to further the common goal of providing great music and music education for the community. The League’s activities focus on educating young people about music and our orchestra, and on fostering the advancement of music talent in our youth.

Intermediate Grade Concerts – The RPO offers a series of five concerts each winter at the Eastman Theatre for 15,000 fourth through sixth graders. League volunteers play a vital role as escorts, guiding children from the buses to their seats. An optional Post-Concert Chat is offered which engages children in a lively talk and a question period. The opportunity to attend a performance of a world-class orchestra in a true concert hall setting is one that many of the students might never otherwise experience.

Docent Program – League docents provide in-school PowerPoint slide presentations about the Orchestra and the Eastman Theatre to many area schools prior to their scheduled visits to the Intermediate Concerts. In a typical year, our slide presentation is given to more than 5,000 fourth through sixth graders at various schools. The docent presentation, which includes the sounds of individual instruments, greatly enhances the students’ concert experience and enjoyment of both the music and the theatre.

Primary & Tiny Tots Concerts – League volunteers escort at these high-energy children’s concerts. The Tiny Tots concerts, presented at satellite locations, are specifically designed for pre-schoolers and kindergarteners. The Primary concerts for third graders are held at the Eastman Theatre in late winter. Both series introduce young concertgoers to instruments of the orchestra and to basic musical concepts.

Young Artist Auditions – The League organizes and hosts the prestigious Young Artist Auditions competition each March. High school students from nine counties compete for awards in the categories of male and female vocal, strings, piano and instrumental. The first-place winners in the five categories audition before a panel of judges for a Special Award. The winner of the Special Award has the opportunity to audition at a later date for a performance with the RPO. The competition also awards two scholarships for high school seniors.

Fundraisers – Every summer the League hosts a one-day chartered motor coach trip to the Glimmerglass Opera Theatre in Cooperstown, NY for a matinee performance, followed by dinner.

Special Events – The League organizes special events throughout the year, such as the Orchestra Appreciation Luncheon, the RPO Staff Holiday Luncheon and the League Annual Meeting and Luncheon.

League Membership and Benefits –

League members share a common interest in music and in encouraging young musicians. They take pride in being part of an organization with a rich history of supporting the RPO. Besides giving financial support to the League, members have the option of participating as volunteers in various RPL annual activities.

Membership provides a unique opportunity to attend designated RPO rehearsals and to meet RPO musicians and staff at League sponsored events. Involvement in these events gives members the satisfaction of developing a much closer relationship with the Orchestra and the musicians. Members are kept informed about current activities through the RPL quarterly newsletter.

The League is funded through the payment of annual dues by its members, through bequests, and by project revenue. We welcome your support! To join the League, download the Membership Form. For more information please call the League Administrator at (585) 454-7311 x254, or e-mail your questions to rpl@rpo.org.

Officers
Margaret-Anne Milne, President
Margie Sabath, Vice-President  
Charles Kaplan, President-Elect
Leonore Wiltse, Secretary                           
Carlotta Lustik, Treasurer

RPL Administrator (staff): Laura Morihara