RPO Honors Generosity and Hard Work of Volunteers with Annual Awards

April 2, 2009

Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra counts on its more than 800 volunteers for their hard work in a variety of efforts on behalf of the Orchestra.  Fourteen of these individuals from the Rochester community will be honored on Monday night, April 20 at 7:00 pm at the annual RPO Volunteer of the Year Awards at the Hochstein School of Music.  These awards recognize people who support the RPO with time and resources to help the Orchestra realize its goals.  Individuals were nominated by RPO staff and volunteer peers, and selected by the Volunteer Services Committee of the RPO.
 
In addition to the award presentations, the evening’s entertainment portion of the program will feature staff members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in a variety of musical performances.

The 2009 volunteer honorees are:

  • Youth Volunteer: Eric Lintala (Webster)
  • RPO Musician Volunteer: Jennifer Burch (Macedon)
  • Usher of the Year: Mary Andrews (Henrietta)
  • Special Events: Nancy Shopf (Sodus) and Ann Todd (Pittsford)
  • Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra: Kevin Ryck (Penfield) 
  • Education: Gil Contreras, Rochester Police Department (Rochester)
  • Fundraising: Ed Fiandach (Pittsford)
  • Board Volunteers: Patrick Fulford (Brighton) and Suzanne Welch (Rochester)
  • Community Partnership: Wegmans Food Markets (Rochester)
  • Rochester Philharmonic League: Margaret-Anne Milne (Brighton)
  • General Office: Arline Liberti (Penfield)
  • Ambassador Award: Dawn Lipson (Brighton)

“The 17th Annual Volunteer Recognition Night will formalize the great appreciation the RPO musicians and staff have for the RPO volunteer corps which provides a vast array of services to the Orchestra,” said Marilyn Merrigan, Manager of Volunteers and Special Events.  “Honorees for the evening represent a broad range of those who support us:  young and old; city, suburban and rural; corporate giants and retired educators; those who are musically talented and those who merely want the Rochester community to have a wonderful orchestra.  We are grateful for them all.”