Photo by Gabe Schaffer

In 1921, under the direction of E.B. Downey, the Heights High Orchestra made its debut before the school in the auditorium of the old Roosevelt Junior High School building which served as the high school building at that time. Through 1925 no academic credit was given for orchestra, and rehearsals took place after school as an extracurricular activity. However in February of 1926, the orchestra began rehearsing during school hours as an accredited course.

The first 15-member orchestra consisted of seven violins, two clarinets, a saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, bass and drums. Their repertoire consisted of marches, overtures, light classics and popular selections.
In 1929 superintendent Frank L. Wiley and Heights High principal E.E. Morley made an important decision to hire a new director from Indiana, Mark H. Hindsley. The results of his labors were in evidence when the Spring Concert of 1930 boasted a sixty-one piece band which performed five numbers alone and two with the orchestra.

Within the next three decades the Orchestra burgeoned and bloomed under the musical leadership of Ralph Rush, Raymond Gerkowski, John Farinacci, and Kaarlo Mackey. Continuity and unity of tradition were maintained as these former directors also served regularly as guest conductors for the annual Spring Concert. Other guest conductors during this period included Morton Gould, Percy Grainger, Frank Simon, Louis Lane, Edwin Franko Goldman and William Revelli.

From 1969-88, under the leadership of Robert Bergantino, the orchestra maintained its place among the finest high school orchestras in the nation. The consistent “superior” ratings awarded at each contest were a testimony to that level of excellence. During this time Eunice Podis and Rafael Mendez were guest soloists with the orchestra. Vincent Danner, 1988-92, an Oberlin Conservatory graduate, continued to maintain the ideals and performance level of the Orchestra.

Dr. Frederick R. Mayer was the music director from 1992-2004. During his tenure he has established several new programs. In 1992 the chamber music program was begun. It features recital performances before concerts as well as special occasions in the school and community. In 1993 the Concert Orchestra was formed to serve as a string training ensemble for the Heights High Symphony. AP Music Theory was placed into the curriculum in 2000 and Music Technology in 2002. Daniel Heimassumed the podium in 2009.

2009-2010 REPERTOIRE

Listen to the Heights Symphony perform!

Bacchanale Hungarian March Stairway to Heaven

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