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About CCSO
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For almost 50 years, the Cheektowaga Community Symphony Orchestra has served the community with free, public performances of classic, popular and patriotic music for full symphony orchestra. Currently under the baton of John Landis, noted WNED personality, the group provides orchestral performance opportunities for area musicians.
CCSO maintains its outstanding programming through generous support from town funds, sponsors, boosters and patrons. The CCSO membership consists of young students through seasoned professionals working together in order to bring audiences quality programs.Concerts are presented at various venues throughout the area, including local churches, the Cheektowaga Senior Center, the Cheektowaga Town Park, and the Orchard Park Pavilion.
All CCSO concerts are free and open to the public. Free will offerings are accepted at each concert to help support the orchestra, and donations are always welcome.
**Read an article from the Cheektowaga Bee (pdf file) highlighting CCSO!**
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CCSO History
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The Cheektowaga Community Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1960 though the auspices of the Town of Cheektowaga and the Adult Education Program of four school districts in Cheektowaga: Cheektowaga-Sloan, Cheektowaga Central, Cleveland Hill and Maryvale. Its mission was to provide the opportunity for the residents of Cheektowaga and the surrounding communities to play in a symphony orchestra, to provide an enriching cultural experience for each member of the community and to encourage appreciation of a wide repertoire of music. A schedule of four concerts per year was established so that each school district would take part in hosting the orchestra.
The orchestra has presented programs from symphonic to popular music in many different venues, including Artpark, Polish Festival, Flag Day Celebrations, Cheektowaga public schools and Cheektowaga’s Cultural Center and Cultural Weekend.
Currently, the orchestra rehearses weekly at Cheektowaga Central Middle/High School. Concerts are presented at various large churches in the area and at the Cheektowaga Senior Center. The orchestra also presents a patriotic concert at the Cheektowaga Town Park each June for the annual Flag Day celebration, and in Orchard Park as part of the Quaker Arts Pavilion Summer Concert Series.
CCSO frequently performs with outstanding guest soloists. Some of these noted performers include Claudia Hoca, Stephen Manes, Christopher Johnson, Joanne Castellani and Michael Andriaccio, Frances Kaye, and Mary Beth Wrobel.
For almost 50 years, the Cheektowaga Community Symphony Orchestra has continuously worked to implement its goals and objectives by providing enriching cultural programs to its community. With your support, the orchestra plans to continue bringing quality music to Western New York for many years to come.
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CCSO Conductors
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1961 - 1971 Robert Mols
1971 - 1973 Frank Collura
1973 - 1975 Manuel Alvarez
1976 - 1991 Marylouise Nanna
1991 - present John Landis
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Prospective Members
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Are you a musician who is interested in playing with the CCSO? We’re always looking for talented new members. We especially need string players, but there are limited openings for wind and percussion players. Interested wind players are also needed on our sub list, to occasionally sub for rehearsals. Preference is given to players who are available for more of the concerts.
Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings, from 7:30 to 10:00 pm in the bandroom of Cheektowaga High School, 3600 Union Road, Cheektowaga, NY. Please check the For Musicians and Staff section of this site for details.
If you’re interested in finding out more, please contact our Personnel Manager, Judy Hirsch, at (716)834-2738 or email her at personnel@cheektowagasymphony.com.
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Officers
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President: Dave Maguda
Vice President: Norma Bielawski
Recording Secretary: Phyllis Drozd
Treasurer: Barbara Johnson
Corresponding Secretary: Diane Koczon
Historian: Diane Koczon
Publicity: Jacquelyn Schmid
General Manager: Jacquelyn Schmid
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Board of Directors
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CCSO Board:
Jerry Bielawski
Chris Bushley
Ray Bushley
Beverly Bystryk
Patricia Greeley
Judy Hirsch
Tom Johnson
Tom Owen
Terry Pomana
Peter Sloane
Ad Hoc Player Representative:
W. Barry Jones
Cheektowaga Central School Liason:
Shawn Rydzik
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Presidents
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1961 - 1971 Melford D. Diedrick
1971 - 1973 Donald N. Pearce
1973 - 1975 Leon S. Regent
1975 - 1976 Elizabeth C. Fetto
1976 - 1979 Rene Ciesel
1979 - 1980 Andrew A. Kulyk
1980 - 1985 Amedeo J. Duke
1985 - 1987 Mary E. Moretuzzo
1987 - 1995 Anna S. Zephro
1995 - 1997 Thomas T. Kazmierczak III
1997 - 2000 Anna S. Zephro
2000 - 2004 Audrey K. Dziewa
2004 - 2005 Dave Maguda
2005 - 2009 Audrey Dziewa
2009 - Present Dave Maguda
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