by Bill Coons, Historian
1972-73 Season: The fall season began with Betty Alleman being elected the new President and Fola Tanchick as V.P. Ken Brown resigned as Director of the Community Orchestra, and June Crouse replaced him. Rehearsals began for the new Symphonic Band. The treasury held $310. We were given some World War II uniforms, flags and a drum to be lent to the high school drama coaches for period plays. We supplied hostesses and GPAS literature at the opening of a new Greece subdivision. In November, Betty Alleman announced funding grants of $6,000 from various federal, state and local sources, with another $3,400 from the NYS Council on the Arts pending. December brought the start of an intensive membership drive for basic $5 memberships. The drive concluded in March with a gala concert featuring the Brockport Dance Company. 196 memberships were received. Because of decreasing attendance, the Symphony Band changed its director to Gareth Greene. At the May meeting, the death of one of our founders, Ruth White, was announced. The only program to survive the years was for the April Arts Festival. Featured groups included: The Choral Society, Community Orchestra and Symphony, The winners of the Young Artist competition (42 competed), the Rochester Pipe Band, The Suburban Art Group, the Athena and Arcadia Stage Bands, and the Greece Central District Band. The feature presentation was selections from “Carmina Burana”. Total attendance, including performers, was 2159. Net profit was $89. At the June meeting, the death of V.P. Fola Tanchick was announced. The treasury ended the season at $2,446. An estimated 12,770 people attended our programs.
1973-74 Season: A new Women’s Committee was formed. The held a tea with 40 attending. The membership drive began in October. A membership brochure was published. James Harvey took over as director of the Symphonic Band. James Grimshaw was elected to replace Charles Dewey as Treasurer. We continue to be active members of the Rochester Arts Council. The Symphonic Band and the Community Orchestra presented concerts at the Mall. The first Christmas Concert was held at Arcadia HS in early December featuring the Choral Society and Symphony Orchestra and selections from “The Messiah”. The membership drive concluded with 220 members. The Symphonic Band ended as of February. 42 competed in the Young Artist Competition in March. The 3-day Arts Festival in April featured new groups Sweet Adelines, the S.U.N.Y. Brockport Resident Dance Company and the Concert Choral of the Sisters of St. Joseph, directed by Sr. Virginia Hogan. The featured work was Schubert’s “Mass in G”. It is noted that at the spring concert of the Choral Society and guest groups in 2003, Sr. Hogan, retired director of GVOC, conducted the combined choirs. Festival attendance was 2418. Expenses exceeded income by $453. The Women’s Committee will raise funds for the Young Artist awards. Bruce Trojan will organize and direct a Summer Band. Plans are for Summer Theatre (then called Puwaba) to present four August performances each of “Dames at Sea” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”. Terrance Brennan will be Artistic Director. The ending treasury balance was $3,862.
1974-75 Season: Dr. Fred Koeng became the new President and Glen Alleman became the new Treasurer. The temporary non-profit organization permit was received. The Summer Band had 50 performers and presented 3 concerts. The Summer Theatre was a success with 4 sell-outs. The Symphony performed at the Jewish Community Center in July. The Women’s Committee sold food at the Greece Mall bazaar in October and raised $150. A request to sponsor a Scout Explorer Post in music was rejected due to potential difficulties in finding leadership. The Symphony played at a Rochester Association for the U.N. concert in Pittsford and at the First Universalist Church. The Christmas Concert, called Fanfare ’74 was held at Arcadia HS. Another April Arts Festival took place. New performing group was the Lazdynas Lithuanian Dance Group. Major work for the Choral Society and Symphony was Gounod’s “Saint Cecelia” Mass. They also performed this music at an ecumenical service of worship at St Charles Church and at the Nazareth College 50th Anniversary celebration. Myron White donated money in memory of his wife, Ruth, to establish a Young Artist award for a piano student going on to college to pursue a music career. The Community Orchestra requested a change in directors. Paul Worfel has agreed to replace Thomas Brunner next fall. The Summer Theatre will continue to use the Athena Forum Room. There will be 2 musicals: “The Last Sweet Days of Isaac” and “Little Mary Sunshine” and “Wait Until Dark,” a mystery. The Summer Band will be active again. Plans are underway for several performances at various 1976 bicentennial celebrations. The ending treasury balance was $3,323.