The Philadelphia Orchestra Volunteer Committees

The Central Committee, founded in 1904, is the oldest permanent organization in the country of its kind, and an example of the impact of volunteers. Central comprises members from Philadelphia and its surrounding areas, including Lower Merion, Upper Merion and Bucks County. Members attend monthly meetings during the day to plan upcoming fundraising and friend-raising events. They join together throughout the year for interesting events, for example a guided tour of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a behind-the-scenes look at the Academy of Music’s Green Room, and a visit to Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, and they always enjoy a December monthly meeting combined with a Holiday Luncheon. As a prominent fundraising committee for the Orchestra, Central hosts a spring musical fundraiser at a private home featuring an Orchestra musician. Further supporting the Orchestra, Central is a sponsor of Opening Night and supports weekly concerts. During the year, the Committee hosts a Musician Treat Day and attends the Musician Appreciation Luncheon in the spring. All proceeds from Central Committee events benefit The Philadelphia Orchestra.  

The Main Line Committee is comprised of members from the greater Main Line area whose monthly meetings alternate between mornings and evenings. Members attend concerts, pre-concert brunches, Opening Night, the annual Musician Appreciation Luncheon, and Musicians Treat Day. The Committee hosts multiple fundraisers throughout the year including the very successful Notable Kitchen Tour in the spring in beautiful homes featuring floral displays, culinary tastings by local chefs, and stunning tablescapes. In December, the Committee hosts a Sunday Salon fundraiser, held in a private home featuring a performance by a member of The Philadelphia Orchestra. In the fall and spring, the Committee hosts several Morning Musicale Concerts at the Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr. All proceeds from Main Line Committee events benefit The Philadelphia Orchestra.   

The New Jersey Committee, founded in 1938, is comprised of members from the South Jersey area including Moorestown, Haddonfield, Marlton, Medford, Cherry Hill, and Voorhees. The Committee gathers monthly during the day at private homes for meetings, music book discussions, and lunches. Supporting the arts in the surrounding communities, members also visit cultural sites such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Grounds for Sculpture, and Longwood Gardens. Supporting the Orchestra, members attend Opening Night, monthly concerts, pre-concert brunches, the Musician Appreciation Lunch, and Musician Treat Day. The Committee hosts two annual fundraisers: the annual Holiday Luncheon, held in early December featuring boutique shopping vendors, a plated lunch, raffle gift baskets, and a performance by a musical/singing holiday group. In the spring, guests and members attend the Spring Musicale featuring a performance by members of The Philadelphia Orchestra, a buffet dinner, and raffle baskets. All proceeds from New Jersey Committee events benefit The Philadelphia Orchestra. 

The Rittenhouse Square Committee, founded in 1953, hosts a Lecture Luncheon series four times during the Orchestra calendar year.  A Guest Lecturer/musician from The Philadelphia Orchestra speaks about and performs from the works to be presented at the matinee concert following the Lecture Luncheon. A Celebrity Guest musician from the Orchestra then performs and speaks informally about his or her musical background, instrument, and Orchestra experiences. The event, held at the DoubleTree Hotel, features a three-course luncheon and raffle items. Members of the Committee attend monthly meetings, pre-concert brunches, the Volunteer Appreciation reception, the Musician Appreciation Luncheon, and Musician Treat Day. Members of the Committee reside in the downtown Philadelphia area and in the Philadelphia suburbs.  All proceeds from Rittenhouse Square events benefit The Philadelphia Orchestra.

The Starlight Circle Committee, comprised of Orchestra lovers from Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs, is a vibrant social group dedicated to supporting The Philadelphia Orchestra. Combining fellowship with philanthropy, the Committee has celebrated a wonderful increase in member participation across its light, low-pressure calendar, which focuses entirely on fundraising and hospitality without demanding administrative obligations.

Bi-monthly meetings at the Union League of Philadelphia feature cocktails and intimate musical performances by Orchestra members. The annual schedule balances elegant social gatherings—including wine-tasting dinners, pre-concert brunches, and performances at the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts—with a signature seasonal fundraiser hosted at a private residence each September.

Deeply committed to celebrating the artists themselves, the Committee proudly attends Opening Night, coordinates Musicians Treat Day, and participates in the Sunday Orchestra Brunch and the Musicians Appreciation Luncheon. All membership dues and Starlight Circle event proceeds directly benefit The Philadelphia Orchestra. 

Sunday, September 13, from 2:00–5:00 PM

The Starlight Circle invites you to join us for our Season Overture on Sunday, September 13, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM hosted by Anna and Michael Minkovich. This event will feature Duc Duclos and his jazz band for dancing, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and fine wine. 

The Starlight Circle Committee will honor Holly Blake, the Orchestra's wonderful contrabassoonist, who retired at the end of the 2025–26 season after 34 years of service. We look forward to raising a glass to her spectacular years of artistry and dedication.

An RSVP is required; tickets are $250 per person. Please click here to purchase your ticket and peruse other sponsorship opportunities.

Friday, October 9, at 10:45 AM  
DoubleTree Hotel, Broad and Locust Streets, Philadelphia  

The Lecture Luncheon begins with our guest lecturer and celebrity guest presenting information and musical interludes based on the Philadelphia Orchestra concert that afternoon. The October 9 event will feature: 

• Guest Lecturer: Dara Morales, Assistant Principal Second Violin, The Philadelphia Orchestra (Anne M. Buxton Chair) 
• Celebrity Guests: Priscilla Lee, Associate Principal Cello, The Philadelphia Orchestra (Ambassador Amy Gutmann and Dr. Michael Doyle Chair) 
• Burchard Tang, Viola, The Philadelphia Orchestra  

They will be joined by Philadelphia Orchestra Concertmaster David Kim to perform a movement of a string trio. David Kim holds the James and Agnes Kim Foundation Chair. The presentations will be followed by a full-service lunch, which concludes in time for the short walk across the street to the Kimmel Center and the afternoon concert.

Tickets for the Lecture Luncheon are $56 each and do not include a ticket to the concert. For reservations and questions, please contact Marlena Kleit at 215.901.2909.   

Thursday, October 15, at 11:00 AM  

The Main Line Committee for The Philadelphia Orchestra is proud to present its 2026–27 season of Morning Musicales! Hosted by the Bryn Mawr Church of the Redeemer, this is a three-concert series featuring a mix of mainstream and eclectic classical music. Concerts are presented at 11:00 AM and run for approximately one hour.

The October 15 concert will feature Trio Azura performing works by Ravel, Jennifer Higdon, and Mendelssohn. Proceeds from all concerts benefit The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Please click here for additional information and to purchase tickets.  

Thursday, November 12, at 11:00 AM  

The Main Line Committee for The Philadelphia Orchestra is proud to present its 2026–27 season of Morning Musicales! Hosted by the Bryn Mawr Church of the Redeemer, this is a three-concert series featuring a mix of mainstream and eclectic classical music. Concerts are presented at 11:00 AM and run for approximately one hour.  

The November 12 concert will feature violinist Joshua Brown and pianist Dina Vainshtein performing works by Beethoven, Schumann, Debussy, and Gershwin. Proceeds from all concerts benefit The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Please click here for additional information and to purchase tickets.  

Tuesday, December 1, from 10:30 AM–3:00 PM  

Please join the New Jersey Committee for our annual Holiday Luncheon on Tuesday, December 1, at the Merion in Cinnaminson. The day includes shopping vendors, a sitdown lunch, raffle gift baskets, and a musical performance by the Haddonfield High Madrigals.  

Tickets are $85 per person and a reservation is required. Please contact Samantha Noll to RSVP.   

Thursday, April 8, 2027, at 11:00 AM  

The Main Line Committee for The Philadelphia Orchestra is proud to present its 2026–27 season of Morning Musicales! Hosted by the Bryn Mawr Church of the Redeemer, this is a three-concert series featuring a mix of mainstream and eclectic classical music. Concerts are presented at 11:00 AM and run for approximately one hour.  

The April 8 concert will feature Atlys Quarter with special guest violist Hannah Rose Nicholas performing works by contemporary composer Ari Fisher and crossover music including jazz. Proceeds from all concerts benefit The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Please click here for additional information and to purchase tickets.  

Executive Committee Officers  

Deborah Ledley, President   
Richelle Rabenou, Immediate Past President   
Marie Kenkelen, Vice President   
Diane Larzelere, Treasurer   
Sheila Cox, Secretary   

Governing Board Chairs  

Central: Jean Park   
Main Line: Jill Acker   
New Jersey: Diane Larzelere   
Rittenhouse Square: Marlena Kleit and Fran Schwartz   
Starlight Circle: Anna Minkovich   

Standing Committee Chairs   

Annual Giving: Nancy Galloway   
Education: Michelle Fella Przybylowski   
Marketing: Robin Bender Stevens   
Special Functions: Jennifer Porges   
Volunteer Archives: Elizabeth A. Crowell 

With gratitude and thanks to our past presidents 

Mrs. Alexander J. Dallas Dixon, 1904–12  
Miss Frances A. Wister, 1912–56  
Mrs. James Hatfield, 1956–78  
Mrs. T. Wistar Brown, 1978–82  
Mrs. John S. Newbold, 1982–85  
Mrs. Herbert W. Hazen, 1985–88  
Mrs. David L. Pennington, 1988–91  
Mrs. Robert P. Frankel, 1991–94  
Mrs. Richard B. Gould, 1994–97  
Mrs. Robert N. Garrison, 1997–2000  
Mrs. Robert L. Stevens, 2000–03  
Ms. Despina F. Page, 2003–06  
Mrs. Elizabeth Mahoney, 2006–09  
Mrs. Sally S. Bullard, 2009–12  
Mrs. Stephanie Brandow, 2012–14  
Mrs. Caroline Buck Rogers, 2014–16  
Mrs. Lisa Yakulis, 2016–18  
Mrs. Nancy Galloway, 2018–20  
Mrs. Dianne Rotwitt, 2020–22  
Ms. Sara A. Cerato, 2022–24  
Mrs. Richelle Rabenou, 2024–26

The Volunteer Committees for The Philadelphia Orchestra were formed in 1904, four years after the Orchestra’s first concerts. The Women’s Committee, as it was originally called, was the first permanent organization of its kind in the United States and has since come to serve as a model for similar groups around the world.

The mission of the Volunteer Committees has greatly expanded since its initial goals of 1904. Volunteers now support the Orchestra in such areas as audience development, education, fundraising, community relations, and special events.

Through all their endeavors, thousands of members of the Volunteer Committees have given countless hours of time and talent in service to The Philadelphia Orchestra and the people of the greater Delaware Valley metropolitan region. The Orchestra would not be what it is today without the dedication, time, and talents of the Volunteer Committees.