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The Germantown Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra PersonnelTricia A. Wilburn, ConcertmasterMs. Wilburn,originally from Salina,Kansas, currently resides in the Memphis area with her two sons, Ryan and Tyler.Beginning her study at age nine, Ms. Wilburn played in school orchestra concerts and school competitions, receiving numerous first place ratings at State Divisionals and competitions. Ms. Wilburn appeared as guest soloist with the Salina Youth Symphony. She was awarded a full music scholarship to Kansas State University where she had the opportunity to perform under numerous conductors including the late composer and conductor, Aaron Copland. Ms. Wilburn graduated with a Bachelor's of Music Education (K-12, vocal and instrumental) and began private instruction and her performance career. Ms. Wilburn has appeared with the Pensacola Symphony (Florida), Port City Symphony (Mobile, Alabama), Biloxi Symphony (Mississippi), and Imperial Valley Symphony (El Centro, Ca.). Ms. Wilburn has served as Concertmaster of the Prizma Chamber Orchestra (Naples, Italy) and the Central Florida Symphony (Ocala, FL), and has served as Assistant Concertmaster with the San Diego Comic Opera (CA), and the Tiffereth Israel Community Orchestra (San Diego, CA). She actively performs with the Memphis Symphony Master Series concerts and the Jackson Symphony(TN). She teaches privately through the University of Memphis Community Music School and teaches and conducts the beginning string ensemble "Sinfonia" in Jackson,Tn. Orchestra History & HighlightsThe Germantown Symphony Pops Orchestra held its first rehearsal on October 30, 1975, under the direction of Noel Gilbert, Memphis Symphony violinist, conductor, and retired Memphis State University faculty member. Noel was invited to organize and conduct the group by the six founding members who had discussed developing an orchestra at Sumerband rehearsals with Jim Terry, band director at Germantown High School. The first orchestra concerts were presented in the spring of 1976.In 1978 as the orchestra grew and performed more difficult music, the name of the group was changed to the Germantown Symphony Orchestra (GSO). The orchestra enjoyed a period of growth and development through the Seventies and Eighties, both in terms of number of members and in the challenge of the music performed. John Mason Hodges, former Memphis Youth Symphony Director, succeeded Noel Gilbert in 1988. Under his direction musical growth continued. Under Hodges' baton, performances included Bruckner's Te Deum with the Sara Beth Causey Chorale; Henryk Gorecki's Symphony No.3 with soprano JemmiLou Rye Rushing, "A night at the Opera" with Charles Billings; and a concert with soloists and dancers from the Memphis Classical Ballet.Guest conductors Robert Gilbert and George Skipworth joined the GSO for programs in June, 1995, following the resignation of John Hodges. In March of 1996, the GSO celebrated its 25th Anniversary with Jennifer Gilbert, granddaughter of founding conductor Noel Gilbert, performing the Saint-Saens "Introduction and Rondo Capriccio. During the 1995-96 seasons, finalists for the conductor position were narrowed to three candidates: Dr. Ronald Vernon, Patricia Brumbaugh, and the late Edwin Hubbard. Ms. Brumbaugh was nominated to serve as the conductor of the Germantown Symphony Orchestra and served in that capacity for two seasons (1997-1999). During the 1999-2000 season conductors John Chiego, Robert Glibert, Chris Piecuch, and Dr. Ronald Vernon served as guest conductors until Dr. Ronald Vernon accepted the Musical Director position in June 1999. Highlights of the Twenty-five year history of this orchestra include the 1976-76 Season's All-Tchaikovsky program featuring Joan Gilbert, pianist, performing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto #1; concerto soloists Julie Hochman, cello, and John Feely, guitar as well as French Horn solosit, Robert Gilbert in the 1979-80 season; a performance by organist John Hooker of Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony in the 1980-81 season; the 1982-83 seasons soloist John Whelan performing the Glazunov Violin Concerto; wind quintets of Mozart with Nick Vergos, Joyce Hommel, Dave Freeman and Doris Parker; David Duro performing various trumpet concerti; Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos with Daniel Fletcher and Donald Freund. Major works on the programs included the Franck Symphony in D minor, Dvorak's New World Symphony, Tchaikovsky's Fourth and Fifth symphonies, Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Overture, Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals. The 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons included several prestigous guest artists; Carolyn Huebl, Violinist, The Wang/Rodgers Piano Duo; Susanna Perry Gilmore, Violinist; Joan Gilbert, Pianist; and Felix Wang, Cellist. EducationEducationEach season a Germantown Symphony Orchestra concert features local youth performers. In recent years youth concerts have included the "Feathers, Fins, and Fangs...Animals in Music" children's concert (1997-98 season) which showcased students from the University of Memphis Community Music Schools Suzuki String Program; "Let Me Tell You a Story" children's concert (1998-99 season) that delighted over 600 children with a performance of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf by students from Classical Ballet who choreographed the ballet; and the 1999-2000 Youth Concert that featured four Memphis area student soloists performing concerto movements with the Germantown Symphony Orchestra. These four students attended the prestigious Tangewood Music Camp in the summer of 1999 with partial scholarships awarded by the Germantown Symphony Orchestra. The Young Artist Concert of the 2000-01 Season featured pianist Maeve Brophy performing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No.1, 1st movement. The 2001 Young Artists Concert featured the Toscanini String Ensemble.Beginning in 2002 an Annual GSO Concerto Competition was established and competition winners performed on GSO's Young Artists Concerto Concert the following season. Orchestra Mission and GoalsMissionThe Germantown Symphony Orchestra stands for musical excellence and continued growth and hopes to serve the community, especially young people, in every possible way. We are a volunteer group with members coming from all age groups and walks of life. We love to make music of the highest quality in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.Goals
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