About the Orchestra
Over the past few decades, there have been a number of orchestras that have formed at the National Institutes of Health. The current NIH Community Orchestra is the fourth one. Recent concert rosters include over 60 musicians with full symphony orchestra instrumentation, making this the largest one to date. In its ninth year of existence, it is still gaining momentum with no end in sight to its growth.
Numerous active chamber ensembles have also formed from its members including a brass ensemble, a flute ensemble, a string quartet, and other combinations of wind/string instruments that present free performances at local libraries and other concert venues. In the spring of 2003, a spinoff ensemble, the NIH Chamber Orchestra conducted by Jesse Parker, made its debut concerts at Saint Mark Presbyterian and at Strathmore Hall with a program of the music of Mozart and Beethoven.
Perhaps one of the more remarkable facts about the group is that the NIHCO is an all volunteer organization. This group of talented musicians comes together to make music for the sheer joy of music. Proceeds from the NIHCO concerts benefit charities of NIH, including the Patient Emergency Fund and Camp Funshine.
The NIH Community Orchestra (known initially as the NIH Chamber Orchestra) began meeting in October 1996 to provide an orchestral outlet for the rich and diverse musical talent of the NIH and HHS research community. In the following year, it added woodwinds and brasses and quickly expanded its size and repertoire. The NIHCO roster often includes employees of numerous other government agencies (including NASA, LOC, DOJ), local high school students and educators, and members of the general community.
Among its musical highlights is an annual Messiah Sing-Along in conjunction with the Bethesda Little Theater. In December 2000, the Washington Post Weekender included the NIHCO's Messiah concert in its listing of "weekend's best."
The orchestra's concert repertoire has spanned six centuries, encompassing many periods, nationalities, and styles from music of the Renaissance through 20th century composers such as Bartok, Vaughan Williams, and Copland. In its June 2002 concert, associate conductor Jesse Parker presented the world premiere of Psalm 9:11, a composition by principal NIHCO conductor Gary Daum as a musical reflection on the events of September 11, 2001. The performance represented one of the first 9-11 related orchestral compositions to be performed in the US (and the entire world). Psalm 9:11 continues to be performed by various choirs and ensembles around the Washington DC area.
Along with the excitement and challenge of concert performances, an important mission of the NIHCO is to give area musicians a chance to acquaint--or re-acquaint--themselves with some of the standard orchestral repertoire. Many NIHCO rehearsals are "reading" rehearsals where the orchestra will read through and work out some of the basic details of a piece of music in a relaxed atmosphere without the pressure of meeting full performance demands.
Led by music director/principal conductor Gary Daum, the group brings music to the community and provides an outlet for the creativity of its members and a place where they can have fun and enjoy making good music.
For most of the time it has been in existence, the NIH Community Orchestra rehearsals and concerts were held in the Masur Auditorium of the Clinical Center at NIH. Unfortunately, the events of September 11, 2001 and the security measures that followed at NIH caused us to lose our rehearsal and performance facilities (a plight that was noted in the September 27, 2001 edition of New York Times). Thanks to the tenacity of the NIHCO musicians and their unwillingness to let something precious be another victim of the attacks, the December Messiah concert was not only performed on schedule, it became among our greatest musical triumphs.
Owing to the generosity of Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, Maryland, 2002 rehearsals and concert preparations have resumed on a normal schedule.
Rehearsals are normally on a biweekly basis, more frequently as concerts approach. The NIHCO currently meets on Wednesday evenings. At this time, the NIHCO performs two concerts per year; an expansion of the program is under way, with a chamber orchestra being formed. There are also numerous opportunities for musicians to form and play in chamber ensembles, both informal and concert groups.
The NIH Community Orchestra prides itself on being a relaxed, friendly environment where we believe in the philosophy that "making music is wonderful therapy--it should never be a reason for having therapy."
The NIHCO's first major concert was the first NIH Messiah Singalong on December 21, 1997. For its role in the project, the NIHCO received a 1998 Award of Excellence from the NIH R&W.
The NIH Community Orchestra is affiliated with the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. It is supported by the NIH Recreation and Welfare Association. Proceeds from its concerts benefit the charities of NIH and, as an organization of the R&W, it is a tax-exempt charitable organization.
Rodeo by Aaron Copland in rehearsal, June 2001
About the NIHCO