Volunteer Spotlight: Anita Hawkins on Volunteering
Anita Hawkins on Volunteering
My involvement with music education started many years ago. When I was in elementary school, I attended the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's music education series. I looked forward to each and every performance, and all the learning that I could absorb about the instruments and the composers. That was my hook!
We moved to Rochester in the late ‘70's, and I registered my two young daughters for the youth music education series at Eastman Theater. The three of us entered the theater with a sense of awe and wonder as we beheld the chandelier, murals, and the busts of Beethoven and Bach for the first time. Musical experiences continue to be a part of their adult lives.
On to the next generation: I started taking my grandchildren to the RPO’s OrKIDStra concerts at Hochstein to foster their love of music and the arts. The four of them loved going to the performances, and especially experiencing the musical instruments at the instrument petting zoo.
About 8 years ago, Catherine Frangenberg invited me to volunteer for the youth concerts – of course, I said yes! I love watching the students enter the building. Then, while I'm sitting in the theater during the performance, I get to observe their response to music. They are mesmerized by sound, sights, and audience participation. When I escort them back to the buses, they express their reactions to the music and so often say “thank you.”
I love being a part of this educational process. We are so fortunate in Rochester to have a community that supports the RPO and League. George Eastman once said “I used to think that music was like lace upon a garment, nice to have but not necessary. I have come to believe that music is absolutely essential to our community life.” I couldn’t agree more!
By Anita Hawkins
Look Back at 2024-2025 Season – January through June!
RPO's school concerts
A young student at one of the RPO’s Primary Education Concerts was given the chance to conduct the orchestra! Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped make the concerts run smoothly.
2025 Young Artist Auditions
The winners of the final round of the 2025 Young Artist Auditions, organized by the Rochester Philharmonic League and hosted by Eastman School of Music. Come hear them perform on July 13th at 7:30pm, in Kilbourn Hall, in a free recital.
Musicians and Staff Appreciation Luncheon
In April, League members graciously hosted the musicians and staff of the RPO for their annual appreciation luncheon. The RPO musician and staff came hungry and were treated to a wonderful lunch, thanks to League volunteers!
Volunteer appreciation reception
The RPO’s volunteer appreciation reception was held in May, following the RPO’s “An American in Paris” concert. Daniel Trana, house manager, presented Ginny Wilterdink with flowers, celebrating her retirement from volunteering with the RPO at 102 years old! Thank you, Ginny, and the rest of our volunteers, for everything you do for the RPO!
Thank you for your help!
If you volunteered at the Primary or Intermediate concerts, you got to see first-hand the beautiful creations made by Kay Larson. These were at the refreshment table that she helped put together for each day’s concert, and they had a different theme each day! Thank you, Kay, for keeping our volunteers nourished for the education concerts, and thank you to all of our volunteers for your help this season!
