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The season balances performances by internationally renowned soloists and local artists, popular works and 20th Century compositions as well as familiar and unique solo instruments. Through the years, Evansville Philharmonic audiences have enjoyed top-quality soloists like Itzhak Perlman , Andre Watts , Roger Williams , Judy Collins , Doc Severinsen , Sandi Patty , Joshua Bell , Frederica Von Stade , and Daniel Rodriguez , to name a few. The EPO is governed by a board of directors, made up of community volunteers, and in addition to the musicians, employs a small full-time and part-time staff. Also part of the EPO family are the Evansville Philharmonic Guild and Friends of the Opera, who help with the Orchestra's financial stability, as well as several other volunteer organizations which support the Orchestra in other ways - the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus and Friends of the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestras. HISTORY EPO began in 1929 when a group of four competent musicians dreamed of forming a symphony. After several more interested local musicians joined the group, they began performing under the name, "Philharmonic Society". After several years of performances, it became apparent that a formal orchestral corporation needed to be established. With the help of Paul H. Schmidt, who became the first Board President, the Orchestra was incorporated on March 7 , 1935 . The Orchestra grew in quality and public respect under the direction of its first Music Director Gaylord Browne. His first concert as Music Director was presented on December 9 , 1934 . After his resignation in 1943 , he was replaced by Dr. George Dasch of Chicago . Dr. Dasch led the Orchestra until 1953 , when Minas Christian assumed the post. Performing regularly at the Vanderburgh Coliseum under the direction of Minas Christian, the Orchestra remained healthy. However, in 1953 , a relationship between the University Of Evansville and the Orchestra was severed, and the Orchestra found itself in a difficult situation with no office and inadequate funding. With the help of Main Street merchants and bankers and advice from Helen Thompson, Executive Director of the American Symphony Orchestra League , the Orchestra became a fully independent community orchestra, and in 1967 , moved into its new home, Vanderburgh Auditorium. The changing times brought new problems to the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. The popularity of the Owensboro Symphony attracted Philharmonic musicians, scheduling conflicts developed, and more players were imported from Indiana University to fill personnel needs. After twenty-six years of service to the Philharmonic, Minas Christian retired, and an operating deficit of almost $100,000 once again made the future of the Philharmonic uncertain. A meeting was held late in 1979 with twenty prominent area businessmen. Each agreed to pledge enough to ensure continued operation of the Orchestra. By April, 1980 , the search for a new music director was completed and the announcement was made that Mr. Stewart Kershaw would assume the post. Soon, problems which had been plaguing the Philharmonic in recent years were overcome by greatly increased ticket sales and financial support. Vastly improved relations and full cooperation with the University Of Evansville Music Department and the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra were secured. The nine years under Stewart Kershaw's baton brought forth a new and varied community response, with attendance records being set season after season. High artistic quality enabled the Orchestra to sell nearly all the 2,001 seats in the Vanderburgh Auditorium for virtually every concert in both the Classics and Pops series, serving more than 24,000 patrons. In May, 1989, Stewart Kershaw ended his tenure as music director of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. After a fond farewell, Maestro Kershaw was replaced by Alfred Savia, then resident conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra Of Florida , and associate conductor of the New Orleans Symphony . VICTORY THEATRE The 1998 - 99 season marked a new era for the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra as they moved to their new home, the Victory Theatre , a newly renovated 1920's movie house and sold-out on subscription for the first time in the Orchestra's history on the Classics and Pops Series. Located on the corner of Main and Sixth, the Victory Theatre serves as a multi-purpose city-owned facility for the entire community. A Theater District Committee was formed in 1991 to begin raising funds to renovate a historical theater, The Victory. It was during Stewart Kershaw's tenure that the Philharmonic became aware of the viability of the Theatre for the Orchestra. With the arrival of Alfred Savia in 1989, that dream began evolving into reality. Savia, musicians, staff, board members and community have pledged money toward this effort in addition to city support. The 1998-99 season also marks the time for the Orchestra's second assistant conductor, Timothy J. Hankewich, who succeeds Robert Moody after a tenure of six years with the Orchestra. In addition to the free Labor Day outdoor performance, the EPO repeated the performance in Albion, Illinois to an audience of over 4,000 people. The Orchestra also returned to Princeton, Indiana , performing for the first time in that community since 1973. For the 1999-00 season, Teresa Cheung was appointed assistant conductor of the Orchestra replacing Mr. Hankewich who accepted a position with the Kansas City Symphony . Cheung previously served as conductor of the associated Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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