|
About Us
The story of the Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra is really the tale of two orchestras.
1993-1998 The Original Orchestra
The original Ocean State Summer Pops orchestra was formed in 1993, and performed for six seasons under Music Director Stephen Toro. During those six seasons, the orchestra’s forty dedicated musicians gave approximately 35 concerts throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, and recorded two CD’s. Though a success, the orchestra disbanded at the end of the 1998 season.
2002 Formation of the New England Festival Orchestra
The music may have stopped, but the dream stayed alive. In the early 2002, a group of musicians from the original orchestra gathered together to plan the formation of a new group. And so it was, in the spring of 2002 the New England Festival Orchestra was formed under the administration of Orchestra President Anthony De Luca, and Music Director James Toro.
During that first year, the Orchestra was fortunate enough to receive the support of both The Rhode Island Shiners, and the Warwick School Department, and was able use the facilities of both organizations for rehearsal space. Although no performances were presented in 2002, the musicians worked hard throughout the year rehearsing, and the Orchestra administration continued to define the purpose and scope of this new group.
|
|
© 2002 - 2008 The Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra |
|
Left to Right: Horn Players Danielle Kuo-LeBlanc, Susan Winterbottom, John Lilley, and Richard Partelo. St Anne Arts and Cultural Center, Woonsocket, RI |
|
The Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra 97 Amherst Road, Cranston, RI 02920 Contact Us |
|
Cellists Barbara Zdravesky (left) and John Kelly (right). Ray Hall, Providence, RI |
|
This section is under construction.
2003 The Defining Year: The Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra is Re-born
James Toro Music Director, Anthony De Luca President Name is changed from NEFO to OSSPO/OSPO by vote of orchestra membership Scope is defined as a volunteer seasonal orchestra by vote of orchestra membership Rehearsals at Butler Hospital Concert 1: National Night Out Fireworks Display Concert 2: St. Rita’s Church Concert 3: Butler Hospital Obtained patronage of Phyllis Field (Butler Board of Directors, Treasurer of Sakonnet Point Club)
2004 The word is spreading. James Toro Music Director, Anthony De Luca President Rehearsals continue at Butler Hospital Music library increases in size Concert 1: Little Compton Town Commons (Sakonnet Point Club sponsorship) Concert 2: National Night Out Fireworks Display Concert 3: St. Paul Church Concert 4: Butler Hospital
2005 Change is Afoot: Incorporation, Websites, and the Return of Steve Toro Stephen Toro Music Director, Anthony De Luca President Rehearsals move to Moses Brown School (new Music Building) Orchestra in incorporated in June of 2005 as OSSPO Website goes online Concert 1: Little Compton Town Commons (Sakonnet Point Club) Concert 2: St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center Concert 3: St. Paul Church Original Board members leave at end of season after four year term
2006 New Leadership Stephen Toro Music Director, Andrew Konnerth President Rehearsals continue at Moses Brown School Concert 1: Little Compton Town Commons (Little Compton Community Center sponsor) Concert 2: St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center Concert 3: St. Paul Church Centennial Concert (Live recording) Second group of Board members leave at end of season Board of Directors is opened to non-musicians |
|
About Us |
