Ashland Symphony

Women's League

Educational Outreach

Ashland Symphony Orchestra

History

(1976-1981)

During the 1976-77 season, Weller was given notice that his directorship would no longer be considered part of his faculty position and at the end of that season, the symphony would no longer be funded by the college. After much discussion, an ad hoc committee of the newly formed symphony board decided to continue at its current level of programming five concerts per season. A civic organization was formed to continue the orchestra with the official name as the Ashland Symphony Orchestra Association. Harry Hull was elected as first Board President, Barb McGovern was hired as general manager and Jane Lightner served as executive secretary. Legal procedures were adopted with a charter, and an IRS determination as a “non-profit organization” was granted.

Before leaving Ashland, Harold Weller conducted the first two concerts: November 1, 1977 and December 6, 1977. A guest orchestra, The Ohio State University Orchestra, conducted by Marshall Haddock, presented the third concert on January 31, 1978. The final two concerts featured guest conductors. Dr. Jan Roshong, assistant professor and director of bands at Ashland College, served as principal conductor for the March 14, 1978 concert, and Calvin Rogers, music professor at Ashland College, served as guest conductor for the May 16, 1978 concert.

In the summer of 1978, Mrs. Sarah Rowan founded what is the current version of the Ashland Symphony Women’s League (ASWL).  Its purpose, then and now, is to assist the Ashland Symphony Orchestra in fund-raising, ticket sales and to make the community aware that the orchestra is a civic organization. An agreement was made with Dr. Clayton for the college to provide in-kind support to the symphony to ensure a successful future. This agreement still presently exists: use of Hugo Young Theatre, office space and utilities, college instruments, music stands, orchestra shell, theater lighting equipment, services of the maintenance department, and the availability of graphics and printing services. In exchange for this in-kind support, highly qualified music students would be permitted to perform with the orchestra and could earn academic credit for this experience.

The ASO Board appointed the previous season’s guest conductor, Dr. Roshong, to take over Weller’s position for the 1978-79 season. Roshong conducted three of the four concerts that season. By mid-1979, the board realized that Roshong was not the best person to lead the organization due to his other responsibilities at the college, which did not allow him the necessary time to provide the direction and vision necessary for the orchestra. At the conclusion of the season, they accepted the resignation of Roshong in August, 1979. The Board Executive Committee then contacted Calvin Rogers who accepted as conductor until the end of the 1980-81 season, at which time he resigned as he had been awarded a Fulbright Award to Korea for the upcoming year. Once again, the board formed a search committee to locate a new musical director/conductor for the symphony.

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