Philharmonia History

Historically, members of the Philharmonia have toured with the Houghton College Choir, have accompanied Opera Workshop and Lyric Theatre productions, have performed concertos with several faculty and student soloists, and have presented portions of Händel’s Messiah with the Houghton Choral Union. The orchestra’s roles in the Christmas Prism gala events and the ensemble’s service to the College through its roles in chapel worship are worthy of note.

In the spring of 2010, the Philharmonia embarked on two one-day trips for performances: first, at Attica Central School in a program sponsored by the Arts Council of Wyoming County; and second, in Kleinhans Hall, Buffalo, as part of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s Community Nights series. Below are detailed lists of conductors and repertoire, with links to photos and 30 years of repertoire history.

Music Directors since 1979

Brian Casey 2007-present
Ken Brown Spring 2007
Gregory Magie 2005-2006
Mark Hijleh 1995-2005
Steven Bird 1991-1995
William Allen 1990-1991
Hermon Dilmore 1983-1990, 1981-1982
William Hayden 1979-1981

Recent Graduate/Student Conductors

Houghton Philharmonia Performed Repertoire
Since 1979

The 2009-2010 season began with a back in the Movements and Motions: Homegrown concert that showcased U.S. orchestral composers. The audience and players alike were challenged by Barber’s Second Essay and were delighted with familiar tunes in a Henry Mancini medley. In the November joint concert, a Haydn symphony was performed for the Music Opportunities Weekend audience. The February offering, From the Frigid Lands: Music of Scandinavia brought music of Sibelius, Grieg, Geirr Tveitt, and the living composer Carter Pann. It was also our pleasure to host Dr. Paul Shewan of Roberts Wesleyan College as guest conductor of the String Orchestra. In April, in a different direction from the prior season-ending concert, the Philharmonia presented music of the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

Orchestra officer/servants were Monica Lord, Rachel Smith, Mary Elisabeth Doan, Erika Harlow, Joia Otto, Sarah Harms, Emily Dunn, Megan Tennant, Matthew Vogan, and Bridgette Lyon.

Below is the 2009-2010 season’s repertoire:

S. Barber: Second Essay

H. Hanson: Sinfonia Sacra
H. Hanson: Children's Dance from Merry Mount
Arr. M. Gould: American Salute
M. Gould: Symphonette No.2
Arr. Custer: A Tribute to Mancini

Haydn/Mozart/Casey: The Hunt for Haydn (Horn Ensemble)
F.J.Haydn: Symphony No. 89 in F Major

J. Sibelius: Finlandia, Op. 26
C. Nielsen: Andante Malincolico from Syphony No. 2 Op. 16
J. Sibelius: Valse Triste from Kuolema, Op. 44
G. Tveitt: Suite No. 1 from Hundrad Hardangtonar Op. 151
E. Grieg: Prelude from Fra Holbergs Tid, Op. 40
J. Sibelius: Night Ride and Sunrise, Op. 55
C. Pann: Slalom

E.Grieg, arr. B. Casey: Huldigungsmarsch from Sigurd Jorsalfar (Houghton Brass Ensemble)
A. Grechaninov: Symphony No. 1 in B Minor
J. Brahms/Matesky: Hungarian Dance No. 1
M. Hijleh: Sam'i Hijaz al Hijleh
A. Copland: "Hoe-Down" from Rodeo
Mussorgsky/Ravel/Casey: Pictures at an Exhibition (I. Promenade IX. The Hut on Hen's Legs X. Great Gate of Kiev)

CHAPEL PRELUDES AND ACCOMPANIMENTS (2009-2010)

Bancroft/Cook/Casey: Before the Throne of God Above
Furler/Taylor/Casey: He Reigns
Getty/Casey: Across the Lands
Getty/Casey: Speak, O Lord
Hughes/Casey: Here I Am To Worship
Arr. Casey: God Himself Is With Us

The 2008-2009 season consisted of three full-orchestra concerts, a combined concert with choral works, significant orchestral contributions to the College’s second annual Christmas Prism event, and several chapel accompaniments using full orchestra and various musicians in smaller groups. Graduate Assistant Conductor was Heather Wilson, and Jonathan Vogan was student conductor for two works. Faculty guest conductors were Dr. Brandon Johnson and Mr. Gary Stith. Featured soloists included Dr. Anton Machleder, guitar; and four winners of the Soloist Competition: Chelsea Keane, mezzo-soprano, Nathanael Dickinson, baritone, Gretchen Hull, piano, and Johanna Schilling, piano. Orchestra officer/servants were Hillary Chartrand, Monica Lord, Gretchen Hull, Erika Harlow, Sarah Harms, Rachel Smith, Bridgette Lyon, Kristen LaVeck, and Isaac Hutton.

Below is the 2008-2009 season’s repertoire:

OCTOBER: Movements and Motions—Walking in Rhythm with the Masters

Bach: Suite No. 3 in D—Overture, Air, Gigue
Haydn: Symphony No. 94: II
Strauss: Perpetuum Mobile
Schubert: Symphony No. 8 (“Unfinished”): I
Poulenc: Mouvements Perpetuels (chamber)
Adams: The Chairman Dances
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5: II
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5: IV

NOVEMBER: A Combined Concert

Stravinsky: Pulcinella
Vaughan Williams: Serenade To Music (with Chamber Singers)
Pärt: Sanctus and Agnus Dei from Berliner Messe
Mascagni: Intermezzo and Regina Coeli from Cavalleria Rusticana

DECEMBER: Christmas Prism (2nd Annual)

Respighi: “’Adorazione dei Magi” from Three Botticelli Pictures
Menotti: excerpts from Amahl and the Night Visitors
Händel: Hallelujah! fom Messiah

FEBRUARY: Rivers of Sound

Ippolitov-Ivanov: Procession of the Sardar
Schumann: Concerto, Op. 54 – I
Schubert: “Erlkönig” soloist Nathanael Dickinson
Donizetti: “O Mio Fernando” from La Favorita, soloist Chelsea Keane
Grofé: “Father of Waters” & “Huckleberry Finn” from Mississippi Suite
Smetana: The Moldau
Picker: Old and Lost Rivers
Tchaikovsky: Excerpts from Swan Lake
Simon: “Bridge Over Troubled Water”

APRIL: Death, Destiny and Drama

Verdi: La Forza
Gounod: Funeral March of a Marionette
Halévy/Casey: Marche Funebre
Sor/Casey: Marche Funebre sur la Mort de l’Empereur Alexandre
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez: II, soloist Dr. Anton Machleder
Falla: Spanish Dance
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 1
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2: I
Stravinsky: Berceuse & Finale from The Firebird

CHAPEL PRELUDES AND ACCOMPANIMENTS (2008-2009)

Dearman/Dearman/Casey:  Instruments of Your Peace
Furler/Taylor/Casey:  He Reigns
Getty/Casey: Across the Lands
Getty/Casey:  Speak, O Lord
Hughes/Casey:  Here I Am To Worship
Part:  Sanctus and Agnus Dei from Berliner Messe
Schutte/Pope/Weissrock/Casey: Here I Am, Lord

Thirty Years of Performed Repertoire History

Directors

See additional photos of the Philharmonia on Dr. Casey's personal pages

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