West Hartford Symphony

In 2001, West Hartford resident, local teacher and music director Richard Chiarappa contacted another local resident and businessman, Jim Kilian, regarding the creation of a town orchestra. With Chiarappa as the eleven year music director of the Bristol Symphony Orchestra, and Kilian as a former music producer in the Boston area, they collaborated to create the WHSO with the goal of enabling it to begin performing in the fall of the 2002-2003 season. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with town officials and invited guests was soon held at a local restaurant announcing the formation of the orchestra as well as upcoming auditions. Local and regional newspapers graciously covered the upcoming birth of the non-profit music organization, announced auditions and did follow-up articles on accepted members to the orchestra. Word spread by mouth through area music teachers and music students.