Jack Bissett, Rockbridge Symphony steering committee president and percussionist, spoke at the Oxford Presbyterian Church Forum on Sunday, May 17. He shared some amusing highlights about its members, retraced its founding and revealed plans for the orchestra’s future. He even brought along his snare drum and a few other instruments for a noisy demonstration.
The Rockbridge Symphony was founded in 1975 as an allvolunteer community orchestra encompassing musicians from Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County - under the current direction of Dr. Matthew Mainella.
The Rockbridge Community Orchestra was reactivated by local string teacher Bill Claytor.in 1999 after years within the W&L University Symphony. Then in 2005 the orchestra adopted a new name – the Rockbridge Symphony.
Jack Bissett and his wife Connie came to town in 1981 when he became a librarian at Washington and Lee University. Connie later taught at Effinger Elementary School. The couple had three children - all musically inclined and all studied (and played) the violin.
Jack joined the percussion section of the orchestra, and in time became its steering committee president. This task involves caring for the administrative affairs of the orchestra and organizing logistics when they play a concert in a venue, like Lexington Presbyterian Church Asked what musicians were the hardest to find, Bissett quickly responded “the strings section” (violins, cellos). Asked again which were the easiest to find, he replied “horns” (trumpets, trombones). Most come up through the high school band or from adults (former musicians) who move here to teach or retire.
And of course the ultimate hardest job is raising money to support three annual concerts (fall, winter, and spring). All revenue comes from the audience - approximately $20,000 per annum.
Future concerts include the long-delayed program from last January: “Won’t You Dance,” featuring music from a number of composers, including Aaron Copland, and a Broadway show; and “The Messiah” (the first section), in collaboration with SVU’s choral and instrumental ensembles, as part of SVU’s annual Christmas on the Hill
concert.
