About the Orchestra

The Rapidan Orchestra was founded in October 2014.  The orchestra is comprised of local community members and draws its members mostly from the surrounding counties of Orange, Greene and Madison.  The concert season includes a fall full orchestra concert, a spring full orchestra concert and a chamber music concert each year.

Membership:  There is no audition required.  The only limitation is we don’t allow duplication of wind instrument parts.  In addition to strings, there are current openings for  french horn, players.  Anyone interested should contact the orchestra director using the email address below and give a brief summary of your musical background.

Rehearsal Location:  The orchestra rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Music Room.  The street address is 135 E. Main Street, Orange, VA.  Parking is available in the parking lot across the street from The Music Room.

Tax Status:  The orchestra is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations to the orchestra are fully deductible per IRS regulations.  The primary source of funding for the Rapidan Orchestra is through private donations.  Admission is not charged at concerts and there is no membership fee charged to members.  Donations can be mailed to The Rapidan Orchestra, c/o Don Aittama Treasurer, 1960 Floyd Circle, McGaheysville VA 22840

Contact Us: rapidanorch@gmail.com
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RapidanOrchestra

Current Members:

Violin
  • Karl Durland (Concertmaster) *
  • Carol Carr
  • Natalie Coatee
  • Anna Dunn
  • Jane Getchell
  • Michael Hanz
  • Kelly Harding
  • Luke Lorenzo
  • Heather Schoenborn
  • Charles Winkler *
  • Pam Whitaker *

Viola

  • Darlene Dawson
  • Whitney Louchen

    Cello

  • Roger Carr *
  • Angela Lehman
  • Elizabeth Price
  • Ethan Wagner

String Bass

  • Paul Fritz
  • Karen Poehailos
Flute
  • Don Aittama *
  • Makayla Smith
  • Lois Tickle
Oboe
  • Sara Smith
  • Charles Torian

Clarinet

  • Heather Welch *
  • Shari Bedker
Bassoon
  • Summer Davis-Brockman *
  • A.J. Accardo
French Horn
  • Lyle Sanford *
  • Jen Clark
  • Alexander Fritz

Trumpet

  • Don Brubaker
  • John Harding

Trombone

  • James Allison
  • Robert Graham
  • Matthew Stough
Timpani/Percussion
  • Lucas Smith
  • Don Whitaker

Piano

  • David Sullivan *
Director
  • Benjamin Bergey *
Board of Directors
  • President – Pam Whitaker
  • Vice-President – Lyle Sanford
  • Treasurer – Don Aittama
  • Secretary – Heather Welch

*   Denotes member of The Rapidan Chamber Players

History/Timeline of the Rapidan Orchestra:

October 10, 2014 – First official meeting to discuss creation of community orchestra after initial impetus from Heather Welch (clarinet) and Mary Dykes (violin); Kyle Ruempler decided as inaugural director
October 16, 2014 – Rapidan Community Orchestra was decided as the name for the ensemble; the word “Community” was dropped at the Board meeting on January 8, 2015
November 6, 2014 – First reading session, at Gordonsville’s Christ Episcopal Church (with Ben Williams as co-director for both 11/6 and 12/11 reading sessions, through January 2015 rehearsals)
December 18, 2014 – First official board meeting, with Interim Board selected (Don Aittama, President; Lyle Sanford, Vice President; Heather Welch, Secretary)
January 8, 2015 – First full rehearsal (rehearsals began to occur weekly on Thursdays at Christ Episcopal Church in Gordonsville); General body election to confirm Board selections (listed above), along with Karla Baer chosen as Treasurer
May 9, 2015 – Two inaugural concerts at Orange Presbyterian and Madison Presbyterian churches (performance of Bizet’s Carmen Suite No. 1, Haydn’s Symphony 104, Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture, and a string arrangement of Skyfall by Adele)
September 3, 2015 – Second season begins, with Tal Benatar as new co-director
September 8, 2016 – Third season begins, with Benjamin Bergey as new director
April 16, 2026 – Celebrated Benjamin Bergey’s 10th Anniversary as director

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