A Message from Catherine Frangenberg
After a long silence, our newsletter is back! A heartfelt welcome to all our League volunteers.
Someone recently remarked that volunteers create something together that one person could not do alone. This is so true. We see examples every day, with the hardworking volunteers within our RPO family. We cannot thank you enough for all you are doing. You play a vital part in bringing music into the community.
As we continue to celebrate the RPO’s 100th birthday, many of you are hard at work preparing for upcoming events. Cheri Emler, K.C. Fahy and the team will transform Kodak Hall into a winter wonderland for the holiday season; Paul Ness and his group are accepting applications for the 69th annual Young Artist Auditions to be held in person on March 17, 2024; Connie Kaminsky and Brenda Murphy-Pough will take the lead in our upcoming Primary and Intermediate educational concerts. This is just a small example of things to come.
A special greeting to the many new volunteers who have joined the League recently. Your willingness to serve is welcomed and appreciated. I look forward to meeting each one of you personally at upcoming events.
Some exciting news will be coming from the League soon. Look for details in upcoming newsletters and via email. If you know of family or friends who would like to join the League and the RPO family, please contact our office at any time and speak with Rachel Solomon, our Volunteer Administrator.
THANK YOU for all you do for the RPO!
Catherine Frangenberg, Chair
Rochester Philharmonic League
Volunteer Spotlight – Ginny Wilterdink
“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” – Winston Churchill
Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.
Here at the Rochester Philharmonic League, we are fortunate to have some of the most amazing volunteers.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Ginny Wilterdink, a dedicated volunteer, who is passionate about life, music, and being of service to others.
GETTING TO KNOW GINNY
Ginny celebrated her 101st birthday this October. She has a long history of giving not just to our community but also to many other communities across the country. Her career spans many different roles.
Ginny was born in Calais, Maine. She took her nursing boards in Boston, MA and served during WWII in the Army Nurse Corp. She was serving in Manila when the war ended. Ginny also served on the USS Hope, a medical hospital, bringing wounded soldiers home. Ginny has been interviewed and filmed for a documentary to be featured in the WWII Museum in New Orleans. She is going in November to see it for the first time.
Another adventure that Ginny had was as an airline stewardess with United Airlines. She says that travel back then was quite different than it is today. Ginny has lived in many cities i.e., San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, D.C, and Penfield. Ginny has 3 sons. Two live here in Rochester and another in San Diego.
Ginny, and her friend, started a nursery school on Baird Road in Penfield. Providing a safe and educational setting for children and giving many parents in the community the help they needed.
At the age of 46, she heard that there was a nursing shortage and reported to Rochester General Hospital and had a career there until she retired at age 65.
BEING A VOLUNTEER AT RPO
Ginny started her ushering career at Eastman Theater as a nurse volunteer. There was a need then to have a nurse on duty during performances and there was Ginny! She did that service until Rural Metro took over. She transitioned right into being an usher 40+ years ago.
Now you can find Ginny, on Saturdays, in the Mezzanine greeting and helping guests find their seats, and making sure they have an enjoyable experience.
MORE FACTS ABOUT GINNY
Her favorite composer is Beethoven, and her favorite instrument is the piano. She has never really played the piano, however, she has performed in Glee Clubs.
Her secrets to quality and quantity of life are: walking outside (she does 500-600 steps daily, weather permitting), having a balanced diet, don’t drink too much, and socializing.
Ginny says that she has loved every minute of being with the RPO. She has many friends both ushers and guests. She calls them her concert family. Volunteering gives her a purpose.
THANK YOU, GINNY, FOR YOUR SERVICE & HAPPY 101ST BIRTHDAY!
2024 Young Artist Auditions
Did you go to one of the RPO’s Around the Town concerts in early October?
Click here to watch a video of Catalina during the Williamson High School “Around the Town” concert!
The featured soloist, Catalina Wooldridge, was the winner of last year’s Young Artist Auditions, an annual event run by the Rochester Philharmonic League!
If you know a musician in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade who is interested in the 2024 YAA, visit rpo.org/yaa for more information.
