HISTORY

HISTORY

The Southeastern Philharmonic Orchestra evolved from the Whitman Orchestral Club by a dentist and one of his patients.  Dr. John Coughlin’s discussion in 1910 with Frank Burnett, a violin student at the New England Conservatory, led to the pair playing duets once a week.  They invited Dr. Ralph Leach, a pianist, to join them. And later, with the help of a high school music teacher, Miss S. Jessie Merrill, they found five good music students and in 1914 formed the Whitman Orchestral Club.

The Whitman Orchestral Club became the Southeastern Philharmonic Orchestra during the 1967-1968 season and moved to Weymouth the following season.  The membership has also changed, growing from the original eight players to 50 or 60 players.

The Southeastern Philharmonic Orchestra is believed to be the oldest continuous community orchestra in the country!

Memory Lane

Ad booklet 1988-1989

Annual banquet 1983

BOD 1978-1979

News clippings 1987

Concert programs beg 1968

Box o’ SPO history

Outdoor concert Hanover MA 2006

Rehearsal reminder 1993-1994

rehearsing for Esplanade concert August 2006

Timpani 2009

Trivial pursuit 72nd season

Group photo 1991 – 75th Anniversary.
Group photo 1991 - 75th Anniversary.

 

Group photo 100th Anniversary.