York Symphony Orchestra Receives First Three 'Chair Endowments'

The York Symphony Orchestra is honored to announce three Chair Endowments, including exemplary gifts by the Appell Family and the Powder Mill Foundation in honor of Jody and Louis J. Appell, Jr. for the Music Director chair; the late Dr. James Mohatt for the Principal Trombone chair; andBarbara and Roy Rollman for the Chorusmaster chair. The three chair endowments are the first gifts made in the York Symphony Orchestra's Chair Naming Initiative, which offers caring and generous supporters of the York Symphony Orchestra the opportunity to name a chair in honor of a family member, friend or an admired person or organization. The endowments will be managed by the York County Community Foundation.

"We are incredibly grateful to these outstanding community members and organizations who have made these generous donations in order to secure the future of the York Symphony Orchestra," said William R. Hartman, president of the York Symphony Orchestra. "This orchestra is stronger due to the support of this community, and we look forward to continuing the Chair Naming Initiative so that others can participate in the orchestra's continued growth and success."

The chair endowment from the Appell Family and Powder Mill Foundation will perpetually honor two great "Yorkers" and humanitarians by naming the music director of the orchestra, "The Jody and Louis Appell, Jr. Music Director."

As children, Jody (Davidson) Appell and Louis J. Appell, Jr. attended the very first concert of the York Symphony Orchestra in 1933. That performance inspired a life-long love affair with the orchestra, setting the course for their loyal support throughout their lives.

"Both Mr. and Mrs. Appell attended the final concert of the 2015-2016 season, were enthusiastic with their praise for the orchestra, and believed in its long-term plans for prosperity and the innovation of the Chair Naming Initiative", said Lawrence Golan, music director and conductor of the York Symphony Orchestra. "It is an honor of the highest order to be the first Jody and Louis Appell, Jr. Music Director of the York Symphony Orchestra, and we will forever remember Mr. Appell and his dedication to York and our community."

Dr. James Mohatt, a 40-year trombonist with the York Symphony Orchestra, made a generous gift to the York Symphony Orchestra upon his death in 2014, and with this posthumous designation, the principal trombone chair will forever bear his name. Mohatt actively participated in the organizational work of the York Symphony Orchestra in addition to his musicianship. He was a member of the music committee, music education committee, young artists competition and the Sultner-Wells Scholarship Program. In addition, he was the librarian for the orchestra for decades, writing program notes to educate and inform concert-goers.

Barbara and Roy Rollman, members and subscribers of the York Symphony Orchestra for more than 50 years, made a generous gift that will endow the chorusmaster position. Barbara and Roy sang with the York Symphony Chorus for nearly 35 years and were its official historians, having documented decades of activities with pictures, programs, letters and news articles. With this gift, they seek to assure professional leadership of the chorus forever. The position will be named "The Barbara and Roy Rollman Chorusmaster."

"The York Symphony Orchestra is most appreciative of the gifts from Dr. Mohatt and Mr. and Mrs. Rollman. Their generosity will help us bring orchestral and choral music to the stage in York and will ensure that we are on a path to a successful future," adds Golan.

The three chair endowments are the first gifts in the York Symphony Orchestra Chair Naming Initiative. Through this initiative, caring and generous supporters of the York Symphony Orchestra have an opportunity to name a chair in honor of a family member, friend, or an admired person or organization. A chair may be endowed in perpetuity or for a term of three years. Endowed funds support the overall operating budget of the York Symphony Orchestra, ensuring both current and future operations.

Community members who are interested in more information on the York Symphony Orchestra's Chair Naming Initiative should contact Richard H. Brown, Development Director, atRBrown@yorksymphony.org.

About York Symphony Orchestra

Comprised of talented professional musicians from the greater York area and beyond, the York Symphony Orchestra has been engaging audiences with outstanding orchestral music for more than 80 years. Performing at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, the York Symphony Orchestra presents an eclectic mix of classical pieces combined with contemporary arrangements. For more information on the York Symphony Orchestra, visit www.YorkSymphony.org or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YorkSymphony.