The Ashtabula Ohio Area Orchestra Society, Our History

On March 9, 1982, a group of local musicians met to play chamber music with the intention of forming a string orchestra. Harbor Band Director and cellist Oliver Kaura originated the orchestra. Clarinetist William Church served as the first conductor, followed by the late Karl Meinhardt.

Second Congregational Church kindly allowed the group to use their building for rehearsals. Later, the group moved to Bethany Lutheran, followed by a move to First Presbyterian. Each week the ambitious players -- five violins, one viola, two cellos, one string bass, and several wind and brass instruments -- "chipped in" to buy the sheet music used during rehearsals.

The then named Ashtabula Chamber Orchestra held its first concert on October 24, 1982 at First Presbyterian Church. The program included selections by Bach, Shubert, Bizet, Handel, Mozart, Strauss, and Hamlisch.

Three years after the first concert, and after negotiations with Kent State University, the all-volunteer group became the "orchestra in residence" for the university, playing for commencements and other area programs.

Soon after, the group hired its first paid member: professional Music Director David Borsvold of Cleveland. With his impressive credentials in hand, David Borsvold worked dilligently for six years for very little pay to shape the group into an orchestra.

Fund raising events were held: raffles, flea markets, musicales and socials, dinners -- anything to attract the public. A few local businessmen offered much need help by donating to the orchestra, by now a non-profit (501-C3) organization chartered by the State of Ohio and approved by the IRS.

In 1992, Mr. Borsvold resigned to accept another position, but his work with the group was noticed and help to attract Michael Gelfand, Professor of Music at Dana School of Music, Youngstown State University. Under Mr. Gelfand's direction, the group has grown musically and in numbers to over 55 musicians, many of whom are professionals from the Youngstown and Erie areas.

Four concerts were presented each year: a student concerto competition in April, an outdoor pops concert at Kent's Francis Montanaro Pavilion in July, a fall concert in October, and a holiday concert in December. The musicians and support group, now known as the Ashtabula Area Orchestra Society, Inc., also sponsored a small ensemble concert in March, with the performers volunteering their services for the benefit of the orchestra. Occasionally, as opportunities arise, the Society stages other concerts in nearby venues.

The Ashtabula Area Orchestra Society has its own officers and meetings, and it conducts all the nitty-gritty associated with each aspect of the orchestra, from fund raising to performances, leaving the musicians free to rehearse and perform.

Can you help? Volunteers are always needed. And the Orchestra needs local business and industry financial support to continue to improve. A small stipend from the Ohio Arts Council pays for a part of one concert -- just a part! Local, fund raising efforts provide for the remainder of each year's programs.