Prospective Member Overview

WHO WE ARE

The MSOC is a volunteer organization of individuals of varying backgrounds and musical abilities dedicated to promoting the performance of quality orchestral and chorale music, contributing to the musical growth of its members, and serving as an educational force in the Town of Manchester and surrounding areas, with a focus on young instrumentalists and singers.

OUR HISTORY

“So come on, Ma! Dig that box out of the attic, have the sound post set up again, stick some strings on it, wash the bow-hair and drop me a line.”

That was the call to instruments sent out via the columns of the Manchester Evening Herald in the summer of 1960. It came from John Gruber, Herald columnist and former piano soloist with the Boston Symphony. He was convinced that an orchestra was just what Manchester needed, and he must have been right. Today, the Manchester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale is very proud of its more than 40 years of continuous performances.

MSOC is a volunteer organization made up of professional and non-professional musicians from all walks of life. The orchestra and chorale directors, concertmaster, and chorale accompanist are the only paid musicians. Yet the dedication is the same from all the participants.

Begun as an outlet for townspeople who had once achieved a degree of musical proficiency, but had let that proficiency slip in the course of everyday living, the orchestra has since grown into an institution that serves not only its members, but also the entire community.

Dr. Francis W. Helfrick was a co-founder of MSOC. An accomplished trombone player and well-known pediatrician, Dr. Helfrick led fundraising efforts that made the organization viable.

John Gruber continued to lead this fledgling orchestra for three years. In 1963, Vytautas Marijosius, a faculty member at Hartt College, served as Musical Director and Conductor for five years. Dr. Jack Heller, an accomplished violinist and faculty member at the University of Connecticut, continued in the position for the next 16 years.

Over the next 16 years the organization has had some outstanding musical directors, including Paul Phillips, David Clyle Morse, Tibor Pusztai, Neely Bruce, Per Brevig, Mark Bailey, Kevin Mack, Lewis J. Buckley, Joseph Hodge and Jeffrey Spenner.

Sixty musicians arrived for the first rehearsal in September 1960; in 1966 a choral group was formed. Some members of the orchestra have gone on to distinguished professional careers in music. The first concertmaster, for example, competed in Moscow’s Tchaikovsky competition in 1962. One young man, who made his orchestra debut at the age of 11 in Manchester in 1977, continues to play with some of the world’s great orchestras.

The Manchester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale would like to say thank you to the many businesses and individuals who have supported it all these years. Because of you, all of us have enjoyed the fruits of a long, long labor of love.

ARTISTIC DIRECTORS

Jeffrey Spenner – Orchestra Artistic Director

Jeffrey Spenner’s biography may be found here.

Dr. Carolina Flores – Chorale Artistic Director

Dr. Carolina Flores’s biography may be found here.

PERFORMANCES

MSOC performs 5 quality concerts per season. Please see the Current Season and the Instrumentation Notes pages for more information.

REHEARSALS

Rehearsals take place Monday evenings, from 7:15-9:45 PM at Manchester High School (unless otherwise noted). Please see the Rehearsal schedule and Rehearsal details pages for more detail.

  • Please arrive on time and be ready to sing or play at 7:15 sharp!
  • Singers are expected to attend all rehearsals.
  • A break is provided during each rehearsal period
  • Each member should take ownership of knowing the music. When available, practice CDs, MIDI files (via the internet), and preferred YouTube videos are provided as practice aids.

ATTENDANCE

  • Required for all rehearsals and performances (including Dress Rehearsal)
  • Ability to participate in additional rehearsals (if necessary), particularly during concert weeks.
  • Take the group seriously. The more we practice, the better we will be. EACH voice is important to the whole!
  • Please contact your Section Leader if you are unable to make a rehearsal.
  • If more than 25%, or 2 or more consecutive rehearsals are missed, you may be required to have a vocal hearing with the Director.

DUES

The MSOC does not charge dues of its members. Members are, however, asked to contribute at least the cost of a single subscription, $70 (Senior (60+), $55). Student members are not required to make a monetary commitment to the organization. The subscriptions are due the last Monday in October.

SCORES

Musical scores are provided at the first rehearsal of each concert series, and returned upon completion of the concert. While scores are typically provided to the member at no cost, there may be instances where you are required to purchase scores.

CONCERT DRESS

All performances are in full concert dress unless otherwise noted.

For Women:

  • Long-sleeved Black tops (occasionally long-sleeved white tops)
  • Floor-length black skirts or palazzo pants
  • Black stockings and shoes
  • Conspicuous jewelry should not be worn
  • Members should not wear fragrances to performances

For Men:

  • Black tuxedo or black suit.
  • White shirt
  • Black bow tie (occasionally any color)
  • Black socks and shoes
  • Members should not wear fragrances to performances.