Erie Chamber Orchestra
Gannon University
109 University Square
Erie, PA 16541
814.871.7755
Erie Chamber Orchestra
The Erie Chamber Orchestra is now in its 34th season of presenting diverse programs to the greater Erie community. As established by founder Bruce Morton Wright, the Orchestra's mission is to insure that high-quality orchestra music will always be available to everyone in the Erie community no matter one's age, income, or educational or cultural background. To promote that goal, all performances are always free of charge.
Founded in 1978, the orchestra was first known as the Erie Bayfront Orchestra. In 1982, it came into residency at Gannon University to provide a cultural exchange for the Gannon University students, staff and faculty, in addition to the Erie Community and other local educational institutions and performing organizations.
Focused on presenting a diverse range of repertoire, it is not uncommon for audiences to hear exciting and innovative works by complete unknowns alongside treasured favorites. Guest artists are often drawn from within the orchestra or from the region to highlight the artistry and talent of local musicians. The Erie Chamber Orchestra is one of the few ensembles that has featured less common solo instruments such as the tuba or harmonica, or even the non-traditional such as the alphorn or a whistler. This adventurous approach in programming paired with masterworks we all recognize and love has become one of the hallmarks of this group. Other annual traditions have grown to be much-anticipated local events such as the Tribute concert to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the popular "Guess the Composer" concert.
Bruce Morton Wright
Mr. Wright was an Instructor of Fine Arts and the Music Director at Gannon University until July 2011 when he passed away. He was the Director/ Conductor of the Erie Chamber Orchestra, the successor to the Erie Bayfront Orchestra which he founded in 1978, and the Director/ Conductor of the Erie Opera Theatre, which he founded in 1983.
Mr. Wright was tremendously active within the Erie Community. He was a past board member of the Martin Luther King Center and Perseus House, a center for delinquent youths. Since 1978 he was active on the board of directors of the Arts Council of Erie. He served on the Minority Panel of the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts and the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra Board, and the Association of Pennsylvania Orchestras' Panel of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. Mr. Wright also served on the board of the Erie Civic Authority, Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, the Pennsylvania State Council on Arts Education, and the Florence Crittenton Home. In 1997 he was among the graduates of Leadership Erie and recently served on the Board of Villa Maria Center and the Arts Board of the Glenwood YMCA. A performer and supporter of the Arts throughout his entire life, Bruce Morton Wright was a tremendous advocate for furthering the arts in Pennsylvania and Erie County. He will be forever missed by his countless friends and colleagues.
Clarence E. Beyers
The support of the late Mr. Clarence E. Beyers was critical in the founding of the original Erie Chamber Orchestra. Although he was a generous contributor to many other organizations, he had a special fondness for the Erie Chamber Orchestra, which he called "his orchestra." It is through his continuing support provided by the Clarence E. Beyers Music Fund as well as the support provided by Gannon University that the Orchestra is able to present these concerts.