About Us
VCU Health Orchestra and Wind Ensemble
We are one of the few academic medical centers in the United States to have its own symphony orchestra and wind ensemble. The orchestra was created in 2017 and the wind ensemble began in 2023. Both the orchestra and wind ensemble consist of health system team members including nurses, physicians, administrative staff, support staff, students, alumni and strategic community volunteers. The orchestra and wind ensemble plays a mix of music, including orchestral, classical and pops intended to reach a broad audience.
Visit our Facebook page for concert information and videos
Our orchestra was featured on the Today Show with Willie Geist in 2021. We hope you enjoy our story.
Mission statement
To promote wellness and enhance relationships among team members, patients, families, visitors and the community, and to support fundraising for local health related charities.
Objectives
- Foster collegiality and wellness among orchestra team members
- Create new and enhanced relationships with the community
- Support and perform at health system and community health-related charitable events
- Mentor pre-health students
- Mentor conducting students
Rehearsals
The orchestra and wind ensemble practice on Wednesday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the VCU Health Parham Road Building address: 7818 East Parham Rd, Henrico VA 23294 from September through June.
Advisory Group
- Theresa Erichsen RN, BSN, LCCE, FACCE, IBCLC-Cofounder & Founder/ Executive Director
- Will Pattie MM- Music Director/Orchestra conductor
- Brian Coffill, DMA- Wind Ensemble Conductor
- Paul Budinger RN, BA Music Performance - Wind Ensemble Assistant Conductor and Member at Large
- Natalia O'Brien MM- Concertmaster
- George Harple BA Music Education- Artistic Director
- Pablo Talamante BA Music Performance and graduate studies- Creative Consultant
- Mimi Peberdy MD- Marketing
- Joseph Ornato MD-Sound
- Steve Lazar MD, BA Music Education- Personnel Manager
- Anne Fleischmann-Williams BA- Logistics
- John Ditto MD- Member at large
- Kathy O'Kane Kreutzer, M.Ed. - Program creator
- Carson Longacre BM Music Performance- Orchestra Assistant Conductor