Riverfolk Community Orchestra debut event a success!

Alden Rowher performs his featured solo during the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto

A review submitted by Jim Horton (former Riverfolk board president)

The Manchester Junior/Senior HS Auditorium had, perhaps a historic event on May 21. It was the debut concerto performance by resident and former MCS student Alden Rohwer.

The Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, an iconic orchestral work, is a challenge to the most seasoned professional. That it was performed remarkably well by age eighteen, Rohwer may have been a landmark achievement for a young musician. Alden is about to enter a world in which he has no limits. His performance was inspiring and beautifully performed.

To make this event more remarkable was the performance of the Riverfolk Community Orchestra. Despite an inability for live rehearsals over the past fifteen months, they performed amazingly well. The Orchestra is under the direction of Dr. David Schultz, conductor of the Dexter Community Orchestra, joined by Winds and Brass members of the Dexter Community Orchestra and area freelance musicians.

The evening was so welcomed in that we were able to hear live music again. A composition by Evan Williams for Strings and Harp and the Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings rounded out the program.

There is nothing like an orchestra in a concert auditorium. Manchester High School is a superior place for such events. The sheer power of the sound quality cannot help but transform a person to an almost other-worldly experience. The concert was in part, funded by: Arts Midwest US Resiliency Fund, Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the Manchester Community Schools.

The evening was the result of the work by Aileen Rohwer. Aileen has tirelessly championed string music education in Manchester. The program, Cultural Arts Strings (CAS) exists in the Manchester area, under the umbrella of Riverfolk Music and Arts Organization. The CAS component is a thriving opportunity for folks of any age, to have music education with a professional and personal journey.

One of the highlights of witnessing this event, was seeing local musicians participating. The Riverfolk Arts Organization was well represented. There was Carol Palms, who with husband, Mark, might also be familiar as traditional musicians (Raisin Pickers, Creole du Nord). Carol’s other roots are as a classical musician and music educator. The same is said for Elaine Osterbur, also a pillar of the community in music education and performance. We also noted Cozette Cecconie, a graduate of Manchester Community Schools, now studying bassoon at Bowling Green University. Her father Phil, President of Riverfolk, introduced the Friday performance.

We also noted that Will Rohwer was playing the string bass. He must have been proud to see his brother, Alden, soloing the concerto. CAS Faculty Colleen Wang and Daniel Winnick also performed in the orchestra and Jacob Warren ran the livestream. Manchester has produced an amazing array of talent If one looks carefully, it would be astounding the level of professionalism that is right under our nose. Our culture is so much richer for the talent that is present in this community.

Manchester is not only rich in music it is of interest to note the work of Fritz Swanson. A Professor at the University of Michigan, Fritz is a writer and an artist. His work at the Wolverine Press in Ann Arbor, has a far-reaching reputation for publishing the work of noted poets and educating students to a high-level literary world.

Riverfolk is a Manchester community resource that exists to give the community opportunities to enjoy live performance. Noted are the Blacksmith Concert series, the Gazebo Summer Concerts, the Cultural Arts Strings program, and the many recitals that inspire and educate the community. Riverfolk is also a participating sponsor of a mural project at the Acorn Farmer’s Market and Cafe.

Funding of Riverfolk is a shoe-string of grants and donations. Any support Riverfolk is given is so appreciated. Visit riverfolkmusicandarts.org. In return, I can only hope that the Riverfolk Community Orchestra was a not a one-time affair. If there is another, folks, don’t miss it!

Editor's note: the broadcast is also available for replay for one week at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/riverfolk-community

Conductor, Dr. David Schultz

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.