A symphony orchestra is like a neon sign, evidence that a city has an appreciation for culture.  On November 10, 2014, Spring Hill put itself on the classical music map with the birth of the Spring Hill Orchestra (SHO), a community ensemble that has already grown to 27 musicians.

The first rehearsals took place at a dance studio.  Now, the Tennessee Children’s Home provides rehearsal space for their Monday night sessions.

The founder and orchestra director is Rebecca Vendemo.  For more than a decade, Vendemo has intended to start a community ensemble, with a vision to bring the rich history and beauty of classical music to people who don’t have easy access to performing or hearing it in their own communities.

Vendemo has formal training in music education and performance and plays the trumpet and the cello.  A vast and outstanding résumé, including teaching and administration, boasts over a decade of experience in orchestral conducting and composition.  She has worked for the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, a background which she says deepened her understanding and passion for the orchestral and operatic art forms.

Vendemo’s goal is to have 50 musicians in the SHO.  The repertoire includes pieces by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Bach and Fauré.

“Most importantly, we need lots of strings: violin, viola, cello and double bass,” Vendemo mentioned.  “We are covered in each of these sections, but for that beautiful, full orchestra sound, we need many more. We still have some openings in the wind and percussion sections too.”

Orchestra members come from Williamson and Maury counties and beyond, and the playing level ranges from students to degreed musicians.  Vendemo observed, “They are an enthusiastic and friendly group of people finding commonality through getting the orchestra off the ground and performing standard orchestral repertoire.”

The SHO is planning a concert at the end of March and already has a performance scheduled for April 26 at the Columbia Arts Theatre with the Maury County Chorale.  For information on attending SHO concerts, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/springhillorchestra.

To join or sponsor the orchestra, please contact info@springhillorchestra.org or 931-674-1383.