Director’s Message

Dear Orchestra Lovers,

I am very happy to welcome you to our 22nd season! The name of our opening concert is “New Beginnings,” and that is a very apt title representing changes that have taken place in the makeup and structure of our wonderful community orchestra. Having auditioned and accepted five new members during the summer, we are now at a larger orchestra then we have had in years, specifically in our string section. A major change has taken place in terms of our performing spaces with three of our concerts during this season being performed in the lovely Hoffman Auditorium at the beautiful Bruyette Athenaeum building on the University of St. Joseph campus. Also new is our Board of Directors with additional new members and changes in our executive leadership led by president Jim Carroll.

Our opening Autumn Classical Concert was recently held on October 20th and featured pianist Kevin Schwarz performing the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s beloved “Rhapsody in Blue.” Looking ahead, the orchestra will hold its Holiday Concert once again at Northwest Catholic High School with this year’s date being December 8th. Once we enter the 2025 new year our Spring Classical Concert on March 23rd will be back at the Hoffman Auditorium and will focus on the 160th commemoration of Abraham Lincoln. Our annual Pops Concert will also be held at the Hoffman Auditorium on Saturday evening, May 17th at 7:30 p.m.

It is our hope that you will continue to support the orchestra and I look forward to seeing your smiling faces in the audience. Our musicians look forward to bringing back the joy of live music to our audiences.

Richard Chiarappa
Music Director, WHSO