Erie Philharmonic

Orchestra in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States

Erie Philharmonic
Orchestra

Former name	Erie Symphony Orchestra Erie Second Symphony Orchestra Second Philharmonic
Founded	1913
Concert hall	Warner Theatre
Principal conductor	Daniel Meyer
Website	www.EriePhil.org

Founded in 1913, the Erie Philharmonic is a professional orchestra located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The Philharmonic has held their performances at the 2,500 seat Warner Theatre on State Street in downtown Erie since 1974.^[1]

History

The musicians union attempted to form a symphonic orchestra in the late 1890s, but there was no popular support in Erie and the effort died. Another attempt to produce a symphony occurred in April 1913, when a group of 40 to 50 musicians rehearsed for months for a performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite. The concert never took place.^[2]

It was only months later, on 30 November 1913, that the Erie Symphony Orchestra, Erie Phil's earliest iteration, was born. It lasted just over two years, with its final concert held on 20 February 1916. On 30 January 1921, the orchestra was reorganized as the Second Symphony Orchestra. It lasted five years, with its final concert held on 2 May 1926.^[3]

The First Philharmonic held its first concert on 8 February 1921. The Second Philharmonic held its first concert on 7 February 1932. The Erie Phil disbanded for the duration of World War II, then incorporated on 23 September 1947. It has performed in Erie ever since.^[3]

The Erie Philharmonic Chorus was formed in 1953,^[4] and the Erie Junior Philharmonic was established in 1947.^[5]

Music directors

1913-1916 Franz Kohler
1920-1926 Henry B. Vincent
1931-1947 John R. Metcalf
1947-1953 Fritz Mahler
1953-1967 James Sample
1967-1973 John A. Gosling

1973-1976 Harold Bauer
1976-1990 Walter Hendl
1990-1995 Eiji Oue
1996-2000 Peter Bay
2000-2006 Hugh Keelan
2007–present Daniel Meyer

References

^ Erie Philharmonic marks new season-goerie.com
^ "About the Philharmonic". Erie Philharmonic. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
^ ^a ^b "A Historical Timeline". Erie Philharmonic. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
^ "Philharmonic Chorus". Erie Philharmonic. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
^ "Junior Philharmonic". Erie Philharmonic. Retrieved 21 February 2024.

Dave Richards (2007-06-09). "And the Baton Goes to..." Erie Times-News. p. 1A, 4A. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
Thea Constantine (May 2004). "Fritz Mahler Papers" (PDF). New York Public Library for Performing Arts Music Division. Archived from the original (.PDF) on 2007-07-12. Retrieved 2007-09-14. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)