Oct. 1, 2023
BY MICHELE MILLER
What’s What New Port Richey
One of the most important facets of a well-rounded community is the amount of culture available to its citizens. The Richey Community Orchestra has been serving it up aplenty since 1957 when a trio of players embarked on a creative, musical outlet that has endured ever since.
They started out performing in local churches, membership growing and waning and growing again over years to what they are today, a group of some 45-50 musicians committed to bringing culture to their community by volunteering their time and talent culminating in a six-concert season of shows
“It’s an impressive and heavy pace for a community orchestra,” said RCO Executive Director/President, Denise Isaacson. “We have both amateur and professional musicians in the RCO and we all work together each season to create terrific, affordable concerts for our community.”
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PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER
Credit for the orchestra’s sustainability goes to the multitude of talented, volunteer musicians who have stepped up over the years. Most notable is Isaacson, who has served as Executive Director since 1981 and also is the Principal Clarinet and Saxophone player. This year marks 51 consecutive seasons for Isaacson who also performs professionally in musical and Broadway tour productions held throughout Florida.
If you’ve seen Johnny Mathis, The Temptations, or The Four Tops at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Van Wezel in Sarasota, or any number of Florida music halls, she is likely to have been in the pit. (Other stars she has performed with include Olivia Newton-John, Bernadette Peters, Barry Manilow, Michael Bolton, Martina McBride, Seal, Robert Goulet, Shirley Jones, Jerry Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Patti Austin, Regis Philbin, Clay Aiken, Marie Osmond, Indigo Girls, Jackie Evancho, Joel Grey, Marvin Hamlisch, Chita Rivera, Ben Vereen, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Connie Francis, Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Valli, Tommy Tune, The Celtic Woman).
Directors have come and gone. Musicians, too. Isaacson has been there for the bulk of it, planning seasons of music including a tricky outdoor schedule during the height of Covid. (The little orchestra that could – and did – amid the pandemic, What’s What NPR)
She’s responsible for booking the soloists, directing the RCO Chorus, and until recently, housing the massive music library that has found a temporary home in the SunTrust building on US 19 courtesy of the City of New Port Richey.
“I’m really proud of them, Isaacson said of her fellow musicians. “We have come a very long way since I first joined and there were maybe 12 or 15 of us.”
PHOTO | MICHELE MILLER
This year brings some new players to the roster and a new director. The esteemed John Marcellus replaces Stephen P. Brown who stepped down mid-season last year.
Marcellus, an Emeritus Professor of Trombone at Easton School of Music in Rochester New York, has played with the RCO for the last few years. According to his bio, he is internationally known for his performances and recordings as Principal Trombone of the National Symphony Orchestra (John F. Kennedy Center-Washington DC)
“We are very lucky to have him as a musician and now to have him on the podium should be really terrific for the orchestra and the audience.,” Isaacson said. “I’m really looking forward to the new knowledge and skills he can bring to us. You learn from that.”
Season and individual tickets go on sale on Oct. 2 for performances that include three open-seating concerts held at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge in New Port Richey and three dinner shows at Spartan Manor.
“I think it’s a great lineup, Isaacson said, noting that while many might think of an orchestra playing mostly classical selections, the RCO offers a more contemporary and fun lineup.
“I want to bring music and enjoyment to as many people I can and share the joy I get in music with everybody,” Isaacson said adding that she hopes to reach a larger audience this year. “There’s nothing more uplifting than music.”
- The season kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 12 with Music of the Knights, a tribute to three of Britain’s most legendary and successful songwriters of all time – Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney. That show, held at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge, will also feature a performance from the RCO Chorus. Tickets are $18.
Other shows in the lineup –
- Christmas Cabaret Dinner Show featuring RCO musicians, Sunday, Dec. 10 at Spartan Manor. $50. This show will feature several of them as soloists in Fantasia on Greensleeves, Trumpeter’s Lullaby, Stille Nacht, and Haydn’s Toy Symphony. Add to that some favorite holiday music including White Christmas, Winter Wonderland and Sleigh Ride.
- Strings A Fire with guest soloist violin virtuoso Konstantin Dimitrov, featuring Ziguenerweisen (Gypsy Airs), Czardas, Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Symphonic Dances from Fiddler on the Roof and lots more, Sunday, Feb. 11 at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge. $18.
From the promo – The RCO is thrilled to welcome back violinist Konstantin Dimitrov as our guest soloist. He is a respected professional musician with over 20 years of experience as a performing artist playing for such stars as Yo-Yo Ma, Andrea Bocelli, and Joshua Bell. Konstantin has performed as a star soloist with orchestras worldwide and is the concertmaster of the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra.
- Lady with a Song Dinner Show featuring guest soloist Ashley Thunder Lowe singing music from Gershwin, Rogers & Hammerstein and more. Sunday, March 10 at Spartan Manor. $50.
From the promo – This show will be full of great songs including Fever, Last Dance, How High the Moon Summertime, and many more. The Orchestra will play hits by the great Duke Ellington and pop artist Burt Bacharach
- Rockin’ the 50’s with the Richey Chorus featuring music from 50’s Broadway, pop hits from the Everly Brothers, Elvis, and more. Sunday, April 14 at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge. $18. The Richey Community Chorus joins in the fun to bring you some of the biggest 50’s hits by the King, Elvis Presley, plus Bobby Darin, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers, and so many more! Hits like Blue Suede Shoes, Splish, Splash, Good Golly Miss Molly, Bye, Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie and Rock Around the Clock.
- Mother’s Day Pops Dinner Show with guest soloist John D. Smitherman singing his favorite pop, show tunes and a little bit of opera with a lot of fun thrown in, Sunday, May 12 at Spartan Manor. $50.
One of the original Three American Tenors,, John D. Smitherman, is an accomplished singer, actor and playwright. He has starred in over 100 different roles in opera and theatre and has published several plays. He’ll sing music from Camelot, Jekyll & Hyde, Sound of Music and more.
- Tickets for the Richey Community Orchestra 2023-2024 Season go on Sale on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. Tickets may be purchased online, by direct mail, or at the door if available. Advance reservations are recommended and are required for dinner shows which tend to sell out quickly. For tickets, reservations and information call (727) 919-3866.
- Richey Community Orchestra Musicians & Singers – Rehearsals start Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, with chorus from 5-7 p.m. and Orchestra rehearsing from 7:30-9:30. p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 7831 Gulf Highlands Dr., Port Richey. For information visit richeycommunityorchestra.com.
- Become a patron and support the orchestra with a tax-deductible contribution – patron $15 | Donor $25 | Sponsor $50 | Benefactor $100 | Angel $500
Related Stories
- After saving last year’s season by playing outdoors, it’s back to familiar haunts and an eclectic 2021-2022 line-up for the Richey Community Orchestra, What’s What NPR, Nov. 2021
- The little orchestra that could – and did – amid the pandemic, What’s What NPR, Oct. 2012
- Arts & Entertainment | Ensemble musicians can get a summer tune-up courtesy of the Richey Community Orchestra, What’s What NPR, June 2021
- Richey Community Orchestra kicks off new season, What’s What NPR,
