Ohio’s Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra will hold a memorial service at the Schuster Center on May 12 for Charles Wendelken-Wilson, who died on May 3. Wendelken-Wilson served as the DPO’s music director for twelve years, beginning with the 1975-76 season. While serving as music director, he began a subscription pops series, added a second night to the orchestra’s nine-concert classical series, and expanded the pops series to two nights; he also began the All Orchestra Night Concerts. After leaving the DPO, Wendelken-Wilson became artistic director and conductor for the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra; served as music director for Dayton Public Radio, where he hosted an afternoon show; and conducted the Dayton Opera. Earlier in his career, Wendelken-Wilson attended Mannes College of Music, where he studied with Carl Bamberger; he also conducted at New York City Opera and at Wolf Trap Festival, and served as an assistant conductor at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Musicians from the DPO and the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra volunteered to perform at the memorial service.
Posted May 11, 2009
