| Middletown Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 35 Years |
| Friday, August 21, 2009 12:28:11 PM - Middletown Ohio |
by Frances Sack
The Middletown Symphony Orchestra has a rich history in our community having been established in 1921 - 88 years ago. Dr. Frank Simon organized the first civic symphony in Middletown in 1921 and formed the orchestra after the establishment of the Armco Band. However, he soon realized that the success of the Armco Band required his full attention and as a result, he disbanded the civic orchestra. The community did not want the orchestra to go away, so after it was reorganized several times over the years, it reached stability when Miss Valda Wilkerson took over the baton as conductor in 1941. In 1942 it became known as the Middletown Symphony Orchestra (MSO).
The Guest Conductor ‘Pop’s’ fund raising concert was established in 1974 and continues today to celebrate its “35th” year. It was created to provide much needed support as the cost to maintain our Symphony increased. Over the years, more than 110 business and community people have pickup the ‘Baton’ to be part of this event and raise funds to keep the MSO alive for the cultural enrichment of Middletown and our surrounding communities.
Carmon DeLeone has been the Music Director of the Middletown Symphony Orchestra for 28. He has held the same position with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra in Chicago for 24 years, and has been the Music Director of the Cincinnati Ballet for 41 years.
This season the Middletown Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that three community leaders have offered to ‘pick up the baton’ to raise funds for our Symphony this season. More than150 community supports are working on the three Guest Conductors campaigns.
The first MSO Guest Conductor candidate is Richard ‘Dick’ Casey, choral director, a native of Wichita, Kansas, has lived in the Middletown community for 20+ years. His campaign theme is “Casey at the Bat-On!” Wanda Williams is his committee chair and Sherry Ledford is treasurer.
Dick is a graduate of Friends University where he received a Bachelor of Music Education degree. He received a Masters in Music Education with an emphasis in choral music from Wichita State University. An ordained minister, Dick also graduated from Anderson Theological Seminary in Anderson, Indiana, where he received a Master of Religious Education degree.
Dick has spent his adult life conducting church choirs. He was Minister of Music and Associate Pastor at the Breiel Boulevard Church of God here in Middletown since 1989. During his tenure there he developed a graded choir program, a brass ensemble group, handbell choirs, choral ensembles and the adult choirs, as well as performing pastoral responsibilities. The Christmas and Easter pageants and patriotic concerts, which he directed at the Breiel Church with choir, orchestra and drama, became a highlight for the community each year.
In the past five years, Dick has been directing the Sanctuary Choir at the First Baptist Church in Middletown. One of the recent highlights for him was directing the chorus of 85 singers for Helen Gerber Ramsdell’s 100th birthday celebration last year. In the spring of this year, Dick recruited the singers for the Middletown Symphony Concert Chorale who performed John Rutter’s “Gloria.”
Upcoming fundraising events that Dick has scheduled are: August 21-Dancing Like the Stars; location MUM Community Center; September 20-Brunch with Casey’s Bunch, First Baptist Church, 11:30 am-1: 30 pm; October17- Talent and Variety Show, First Baptist Church, 7:30 pm.
The second MSO Guest Conductor candidate is Helen Elizabeth Stevens-Gleason, a Middletown native. Her theme is “Music, La Joie de Vivre: The Joy of Living.” Judy Schneider, Maxine Woodward and Suzie Wright are her chairpersons and Roslyn Ginter is treasurer.
Helen is a graduated cum laude from the William Woods College, Fulton Missouri in Education, English, Science with a minor in music. She received her MA degree from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale in Teaching and Learning. She has been a teacher in the Franklin City Schools for 39 years and currently teaches at Hunter Elementary School.
As a lifelong Middletonian, she is a lover of both music and the arts; currently serving a vice-president of the Middletown Music Club, a board member of the Middletown Performing Arts Academy, and a member of the Symphony Chorale. She is a member of the Church of the Ascension’s adult choir, handbell choir and former director of the Children’s Chapel Choir; member and soloist of P.R.O.M.I.S.E.S and Pro Musica. Other community activities include: Middfest volunteer, supporter and performer for numerous ‘High Fever Follies’ that was sponsored by the Middletown Regional Hospital Auxiliary, Middletown Historical Society, and longtime member of Phi Beta Psi Sorority. She and her husband Richard have two daughters.
Upcoming fundraising events that Helen has scheduled are: August 22-Woodstock Revisited Dance and Groovy Cookout: Forty Years Later at Wildwood Golf Club, 7 pm –midnight; September 12-A Night at La Scala, Pasta with Arias, Dancing, Singing, Tombola, and Raffles diner provided by The Sons of Italy at Church of Ascension, 5:15 – 8 pm; October 24-French Soiree of Wine an Cheese at the Lawrence and Kristen Mulligan Home on S. Main Street, 6:30 pm.
The third MSO Guest Conductor candidate is Betty Lou Nein, a Hamilton native, who has lived in Middletown for most of her adult life. Her theme is “Step in Time With NEIN.” Carole and David Schul are her committee co-chairs and Bill Schaefer is treasurer. Betty Lou has dedicated her campaign in memory of her late husband, Dick Nein, and in honor of Betty Lou’s cousin, Helen Gerber Ramsdell.
Betty Lou is a graduated from Western college for Women and became a third generation teacher. Her first position in Hamilton was teaching music. After marrying Dick in 1946 and starting their family, Betty Lou started her volunteer career. She became president of the PTA when her oldest son, Rick, started kindergarten. She has not slowed down one bit since and her enthusiasm is infectious.
If you know Middletown, you know Betty Lou Nein. She is as much of the community as any one person could be. The list of positions that she has held over the years is endless and here are few organizations that have benefited from her involvement include: director of Arts in Middletown, Middletown School District: Board President, Middletown Symphony Orchestra, P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter DR, President, Middletown Hospital Auxiliary, Middletown Music Club, Middletown Salvation Army, Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities (formerly Butler County Board of Retardation), First Presbyterian Church of Middletown and Mount Pleasant Retirement Village board.
She has been recognized as Butler County YWCA Outstanding Woman of Achievement; Middletown United Way Volunteer of the Year; Middletown Teachers Association Community Service Award; Blue Ribbon Award from the Chamber of Commerce; and Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.
Betty Lou resides at Mount Pleasant Retirement Village where she, of course, continues to volunteer. She is the proud mother of three successful sons, 11grandchildren, two great grandchildren and one more grandchild on the way.
Upcoming fundraising event that are scheduled are for Betty Lou’s campaign: August 31-Dine with Nein at Stefano’s Italian Café’, 5- 8 pm; September 18-High Tea and High Fashion at home of Mrs. Gary (Sarah) Kaup at 2 pm; and October 11-Food, Flowers and All That Jazz at Mt. Pleasant Activity Building 12:30 pm.
The Guest Conductor Concert will once again be in the swing of things on Saturday, November 14. As in the past, the event will be held in the Finkelman Auditorium on the Miami University Middletown campus starting at 8:15 pm. For additional information or to purchase tickets for the November 14 event, contact Midge @513-423-6779. Cost is $25, students $20. Public is encouraged to attend.
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