For forty years the Windham Orchestra has served four important roles in the musical community: 1) Performing live orchestral music in Brattleboro and surrounding towns; 2) Providing a performance outlet for local amateur, student and professional musicians; 3) Educating local school children; and 4) Providing an orchestral ensemble for performance of music by local composers.
The orchestra's founder and first conductor was Joseph Schor, faculty member at the now-defunct Windham College in Putney, Vermont. He was followed by Robert Marks, Jan Swafford and Joe Schaff. From 1983-2006 the orchestra was led by Zon Eastes. During the 2006-2007 season the orchestra played under guest conductors including Phyllis Isaacson, Peter Szep, Steve Rice and Michael Finckel. David Runnion led the orchestra from 2007 until 2009. Maestro Hugh Keelan will take the podium for Season 41, 2010-2011.
Listen Local Day: January 25, 2009 was proclaimed LISTEN LOCAL DAY by the Brattleboro Town Selectboard in recognitionof and valuing the role of music, and the Windham Orchestra, to inspire, stimulate and support the physical, emotional and financial health of our community.
Film Scores: One of the pieces on our January 25, 2009 "Listen Local" concert was Steven Bathory-Peeler's "Film Score for an Unmade Film," with an added dimension of audience participation: the composer invites the audience to write down ideas for a film that might use this music as its soundtrack. Click here to listen to our performance and read the many film scores our audience contributed.
With a regular membership of 45-60 players, the orchestra performs every season in a variety of venues throughout the region, from the Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro to gymnasiums, churches and dining halls in the smaller villages. Each year we present at least one fine instrumental or vocal soloist with the orchestra. For more than 20 years, one concert has featured the winner of the orchestra's annual Concerto Competition for High School Students, sponsored by Douglas Cox of Cox Violins.
Our members include amateur and professional musicians. Our members are teachers, doctors, veterinarians, artists, mediators, physical therapists, and writers. Many local professional musicians donate their services to the orchestra.
Click here for a current roster of Windham Orchestra Players.
