The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra (RIPO) is a professional orchestra in

Rhode Island Rhode Island (, like ''road'') is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is the List of U.S. states by area, smallest U.S. state by area and the List of states and territories of the United States ...

. Following the death of music director

Bramwell Tovey Bramwell Tovey (11 July 1953 – 12 July 2022) was a British conductor and composer. Life and career Tovey was educated at Ilford County High School, the Royal Academy of Music and the University of London. His formal music education was as ...

in 2022,

Tania Miller Tania Miller (born August 28, 1969, in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian conductor. She is currently Music Director Emerita of the Victoria Symphony following her retirement as music director, a post she had held since 2003. Prior to that, ...

was named Interim Principal Conductor. Francisco Noya holds the title of Resident Conductor. Founded in 1945 and based in

East Providence, Rhode Island East Providence is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 47,139 at the 2020 census, making it the fifth-largest city in the state. Geography East Providence is located between the Providence and Seekonk ...

, its performing home is Veterans Memorial Auditorium in

Providence Providence often refers to: * Providentia, the divine personification of foresight in ancient Roman religion * Divine providence, divinely ordained events and outcomes in Christianity * Providence, Rhode Island, the capital of Rhode Island in the ...

. Along with the annual Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts and the Providence Singers, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the best examples of classical music companies in Rhode Island. RIPO is the country's largest combined professional orchestra and music school.

Establishment and history

The RIPO was founded in 1945 by Francis Madeira who went on to be its director and conductor; he retired in 1978. Following Francis Madeira's retirement in 1978, Alvaro Cassuto led the Orchestra from 1979-1985. Andrew Massey then served as Music Director from 1986–1991, followed by Zuohuang Chen who served in that capacity through the 1995-96 season. Following Zuohuang Chen was Larry Rachleff, who served as music director from 1996 to 2017. As of 2012, the orchestra has attracted the likes of guest conductors

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and Michael Stern, violinists

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and David Kim, cellist Alban Gerhardt and pianists

Ilya Yakushev Ilya, Iliya, Ilia, Ilja, or Ilija (russian: Илья́, Il'ja, , or russian: Илия́, Ilija, ; uk, Ілля́, Illia, ; be, Ілья́, Iĺja ) is the East Slavic form of the male Hebrew name Eliyahu (Eliahu), meaning "My God is Yahu/Jah." ...

Jessie Chang Jessie may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jessie (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Jessie (surname), a list of people Arts and entertainment * ''Jessie'' (2011 TV series), a 2011–15 Disney Channel ...

and

Jon Kimura Parker Jon Kimura Parker (born 25 December 1959) is a Canadian pianist. Early life and education Jon Kimura Parker was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, the son of Keiko Parker and John Parker. He began his studies with his uncle, Edward P ...

to perform with the orchestra. Past special guests include Art Garfunkel, Ben Folds and Chris Botti. In January 2012, soprano Renee Fleming performed a Gala with the Orchestra for the re-dedication of the Vets Auditorium which is undergoing drastic renovations. On June 1, 2014, Yo-Yo Ma performed Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto with the orchestra.

Music school

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra is the only fully integrated professional orchestra and music school in United States. It has a major music school founded by Alan Fox, which educates over 1,500 students statewide on a weekly basis with an additional 13,000 students through periodic partnerships, residencies, education concerts and in-school performances. The educational program of the school spans not only classical music but extends into pop, jazz, rhythm & blues and advocates youth orchestras and big band ensembles. Instruction is provided on 35 different instruments. In December 2006, the Philharmonic moved into its permanent home on Waterman Avenue in East Providence. This facility, also housing the administrative offices, is now the Carter Center for Music Education & Performance which opened in the fall of 2008, the only facility of its kind in Rhode Island. In the Fall of 2011, the Carter Center added an electronic keyboard and technology lab. Every Spring, the orchestra puts on four education concerts at the Vets held during the school day for local school children to attend. Groups of Music School students perform at schools and community centers throughout the year.

References

External links

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{{authority control American orchestras Music schools in Rhode Island Musical groups established in 1945 Culture of Providence, Rhode Island Wikipedia requested audio of orchestras Musical groups from Rhode Island Performing arts in Rhode Island 1945 establishments in Rhode Island