Meet the Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra Director Paula A. Ulicsni Halvorson Music Director/Conductor (bio) First Violin Lisa Zeller, concertmaster Frank Lawatsch Barb Swanson Michelle Suter Brenna Wordes Adam Stiff Second Violin JoEllen Kimball, principal Stephanie Hendrickson Rhonda Kuechle Emily Nadolny Tina Magner Sofia Carlson Viola Josh Pierskalla, principal Bridget Revier Cello Jeremy Pierskalla, principal Jacob Loerzel Tina Lamberts Derrick Johnson Bass Meghan Weiss, principal Jane Rossmeisl Flute Barb Holmgren, principal Karissa Poe Lorie Skaro-Johnson Oboe/English Horn Raye Eyrich Bob Whitney Clarinet Heather Shumaker, principal Joel Gronseth Bass Clarinet Molly Shumaker Bassoon John Mack French Horn Susann Karnowski, principal Bonnie Hauser Kit Grode Mary Pieh Trumpet David Nelson, principal Paul Woolverton Trombone Tim Pieh, principal Dennis Benson Gary Lauinger Tuba Marlyn Orson Timpani Andrew Benson Percussion Kristine Benson Matt Reich

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History of the orchestra

The Willmar Area Orchestra began in March of 1957. In the beginning the orchestra met in the home of its co-founders Dr. Lawrence Opsahl and his wife Margaret. A few friends got together to try some simple string ensemble pieces. In a few months there were both strings and winds getting together on Sunday evenings for musical sessions in the Opsahl living room.

Over the years the orchestra has had three different names and six conductors. From 1957-1964, it was known as the Willmar Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr. Opsahl is quoted as saying, "We decided to put our tongues in our cheeks and settle for the name Willmar Philharmonic Orchestra, which had a pleasant ring to our ears, even though it might give our audiences some reason to wonder."

In 1964, the new Willmar Community College brought in Chet Sommers to organize its music department. A collaboration between the Willmar Philharmonic Orchestra and the college began and the orchestra was renamed Willmar Community Orchestra. Chet Sommers directed the orchestra until May 1997, a period of more than 30 years. Robert Whitney stepped in to fill the void left by the retirement of Chet Sommers. He recruited members from surrounding communities and it was decided that the name of the orchestra should become the Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra.

After Robert Whitney, Steven Eckblad was brought in and conducted the orchestra for ten years, stepping down in May of 2013. The 2013-14 season was a year of transition with a yearlong audition process.

Sergey Bogza led the orchestra for two seasons from the fall of 2014 to the spring of 2016. In the fall of 2016 we welcomed Stephen J. Ramsey to the podium. A position he continues to hold. Much like the group of friends that met in the Opsahl's living room in 1957, today's orchestra members volunteer their time just because they enjoy getting together to make music.

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