USUAL
LISTEN LOCAL The Raleigh Symphony Orchestra taps the community to offer new, diverse music by AYN-MONIQUE KLAHRE
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hey’ve got all the bells and whistles—or at least, all the strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. The Raleigh Symphony Orchestra was founded 40 years ago by Alan Neilson, a professional musician and former principal flutist with the North Carolina Symphony. After his performing career and a new start as a conductor, Neilson was asked by a small group of supporters to form a community orchestra, an outgrowth of a performance group then based at N.C. State University. Today, the orchestra is made up of 65 musicians. “Our orchestra 62 | WALTER
is comprised of a unique cross-section of society,” says Janet Shurtleff, an oboe player (and current board president) who has been in the group since it was founded. “Some are professionally trained, others are volunteers like myself who like to play—we have doctors and lawyers and schoolteachers—and the ages range from high school to people in their 80s.” One thing that the players have in common: they’re truly part of our community. “Almost all of the soloists aren’t just North Carolina residents, they’re Raleigh people,” says music director Jim Waddelow. “And many of them are trained in
North Carolina, too, with music degrees from ECU or Meredith or UNCG.” Many of the orchestra members have played together for decades. “My wife always sits with the husband of one of the ladies I partner with in the orchestra, and our children and grandchildren know each other,” says Carl Koch, a violinist who’s been with the group over 35 years. Bassoonist John Caldwell, who joined 23 years ago, agrees. “We really feel a kind of kinship with each other.” “You sort of get drawn in, and then you’re family,” laughs Shurtleff. “I started hanging out with this group when I was
