A Message from League Treasurer, Paul Ness
As I write this piece, the Buffalo Bills are deep in contention for the NFL playoffs. While based in another city an hour away, many Rochesterians nevertheless consider the Bills as their home professional team.
But we have another home team, much closer. It’s called the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Rochester Philharmonic League is its most avid fan club. Peter Schickele’s humorous efforts notwithstanding, there is a justifiable comparison between sports and music. Like athletes, musicians practice long and hard, often from a young age, to acquire the skills necessary for high-level performance. And, like athletes, musicians can describe that special feeling of being “in the zone” when performing at a high level, especially in ensemble.
The Rochester Philharmonic League’s role has a particular focus in supporting the orchestra to foster music education, providing volunteers to organize and staff music education events and concerts. The education concerts, held every winter in Kodak Hall, introduce live concerts to over 10,000 elementary and middle school students, many of whom enter our concert hall to experience orchestral music for the first time in their lives. At the other end of the spectrum, the League’s Young Artist Auditions brings together the most accomplished high school musicians to be evaluated by professionals and compete for prizes, scholarships, and performance opportunities.
My own experience was with the support of Rochester’s outsize resources for music education. Early studies with marvelous instructors in the Eastman School’s Preparatory Department (now Eastman Community Music School), coupled with school and regional youth orchestras and choruses made opportunities for achievement and, just as important, created a social group of like-minded youngsters. Continuing study and performance opportunities for adults abound, with multiple community orchestras and chamber music groups through the community music schools. There are RPO musicians teaching at all regional community, college, and graduate-level music schools, and frequently performing in chamber groups throughout the state.
No region of comparable size can boast the concentration of professionals who create and maintain the musical atmosphere that helps make the Rochester area so special. It is a privilege to be part of and supportive of this special community.
Paul Ness
Volunteer Spotlight – Lorita Bryant
Lorita was born in Montezuma, Georgia. Her family moved to Rochester when she was 12 years old. They moved here in June, and when winter came, she missed the warmth of the southern sun.
Lorita graduated from Madison high school and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She also attended Edison Tech and studied cosmetology. She worked 16 years for Wegmans in Midtown. She recalls, during the ice storm, being the only cashier that came to work. Lorita has been a hair stylist for 40 years. She was also a member of the Toastmaster's organization in Rochester. Her first speech was about manners and etiquette. These values and behaviors are important to her.
Lorita is the mother of 3 and a grandmother to 3 girls and one grandson. She loves volunteering with the RPO at Kodak Hall. Lorita calls it the “House of Music.”
In elementary school, she played the piano and in high school she played the flute. She loves to sing, but only in the shower!
Ms. Bryant has been an usher for 2 seasons. She volunteers for as many performances as she can fit into her schedule. She says that she enjoys being with the guests and gets great satisfaction from showing them respect as well as showing them to their seats. Lorita says that Kodak Hall is a safe and pleasant place to be. It feels like her second family.
Every night that she works, she loves to send the patrons off by saying “Good night, and have a safe trip home.”
Being of service to others is a pattern in Lorita's life. From being a mother, grandmother, hair stylist, cashier, and an usher, Lorita demonstrates that she knows “the simple things are sometimes the most significant.” (Anonymous)
We are thankful for Lorita's volunteerism at the “House of Music.”
Written by Anita Hawkins
Volunteers for primary & intermediate concerts
Our Primary and Intermediate Concerts are coming soon! Each year, thousands of students from around Rochester and surrounding areas come to Kodak Hall to hear the RPO. We’re looking for volunteers for these concerts. Check out this video for information on what to expect, and fill out this form to sign up to volunteer!
Questions? Contact Rachel.
