The orchestra during a rehearsal in for the
Dance Extensions 1997 production of Stravinsky's "Petruska"
Rowan University's first orchestra was formed in 1924, in the first years of the then new, State Normal School at Glassboro. In 1947, Dr. W. Clarke Pfleeger joined the school faculty and became conductor of the orchestra, developing both the ensemble and the Department of Music. Dr. Bertram Greenspan was appointed the Glassboro State College orchestra's conductor in 1963, and under his leadership the orchestra presented its first independent concerts of the standard repertoire. He also established the orchestra's annual High School Orchestra Festival and Soloist Competition. The orchestra's next conductor, Dr. Robert Taylor, served as director for twenty three years. During his tenure the orchestra expanded to become the College-Community Orchestra, and continued to broaden the scope of its repertoire.
In 1991, Salvatore Scarpa, a graduate of Glassboro State College and the Eastman Scool of Music, and a former winner of the Soloist Competition, was appointed conductor of the orchestra. A few years later the school was transformed first into Rowan College and now Rowan University. Rowan's growth into a top tier regional university has spurred the establishment of the University Chamber Orchestra, which performs its own concerts, including collaborations with Rowan Dance Extensions, as well as serving as the orchestra for University Opera Company productions. The University Community Orchestra continues to present its own concert series and special events. Recent years have also seen the expansion of the string faculty and an internationalization of the student body.
This page will soon hold sound clips and photographs from the Orchestra's days as the "Rowan College/Community Orchestra" and the Glassboro State College/Community Orchestra" as well as photographs of the orchestra in action under the baton of Dr. W. Clarke Pfleeger, Dr. Bertram Greenspan, Dr. Robert B. Taylor, and Salvatore Scarpa.
1998 Rowan University/Community Orchestra
This page was last updated on August 24 2001