Take a peek behind the curtain and see how the Philadelphia Orchestra comes together during a special lecture from someone who has been an integral part of the group for decades at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 18, at Medford Leas.
Robert Grossman, the Orchestra’s Principal Librarian, will speak on how various components function behind the scenes to bring you the award-winning concertos and symphonies you know and love, at no cost.
Grossman is an integral part of the orchestra himself; he is in charge of directing the million dollar Riccardo Muti Library located in the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. Before every concert, Grossman puts the 75 orchestra folders onto each musician’s stand and places the score for the first piece of the program on the conductor’s music stand.
At the lecture, attendees will have an opportunity to see autographed scores and parts used by former music directors, along with examples of historic engraved music. Register by April 15 to secure your spot at this one-of-a-kind lecture, which will give you a sneak peek at the orchestra.
Grossman, a Philadelphia native, studied bassoon and trumpet at the Settlement Music School with Leopold Stokowski. He graduated cum laude from West Virginia University in 1977 and, in 1980, he earned a Master of Library Science from Drexel University. Originally hired in 1978 as a part-time librarian for the Philadelphia Orchestra, he eventually was appointed to a full-time position by Eugene Ormandy, and became Principal Librarian in 2003.
“Philadelphia Orchestra: Behind the Scenes” is part of a series of programs being offered by Medford Leas this spring. For a full listing of Pathways to Learning programs, or to register for a program, visit www.medfordleas.org or call (609) 654–3588.
The Philadelphia Orchestra is renowned for its distinctive sound, desired for its keen ability to capture the hearts and imaginations of audiences, and admired for an unrivaled legacy of ‘firsts’ in music-making, according to its website. The orchestra remains one of the preeminent orchestras in the world, and currently is headed by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Visit www.philorch.org for more information.
Medford Leas is a nationally accredited not-for-profit community, guided by Quaker principles, for those who are 55 and older, with two campuses. The Medford Campus is located at 1 Medford Leas Way in Medford.
