Richelle Rabenou was selected as chair of the organization in September 2016.
After moving to Moorestown from New York City five years ago with her husband and two children, Richelle Rabenou was invited by a friend to join the New Jersey Committee of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2013. Just a few years since joining, the 48-year-old now finds herself serving a two-year term as the organization’s chair.
“I am very honored to have been named chair and to have been given the responsibility of expanding the committee,” said Rabenou, who was elected to the role in September. “Many of our current members have been very involved with the committee for over 25 years, which is a testament to their support of the arts and their support of cultural education for young people.”
Experience
Rabenou’s new role comes after a life full of musical involvement — stemming from piano lessons at 3, to flute lessons at 9 and a continued focus on classical music as she grew up. After performing and competing through music in high school, the Clearwater, Florida-native went on to study at the Indiana University Kelly School of Business as well as studied music at Indiana’s Jacobs School of Music.
Remaining active in the musical community into her adult life, the NJCPO has allowed Rabenou to incorporate leadership into her passion for the art of music. Upon joining the NJCPO, which was originally formed in 1938, Rabenou first served as the vice chair of programs for a two-year term. After a formal nomination and election process, in this role she was responsible for arranging the musicians for the holiday luncheon, spring musicale and children’s free concert.
Current objectives
Having since been selected as chair, Rabenou is now responsible for planning the overall direction of the committee with monthly events, increasing membership and driving fundraising efforts. She also participates in monthly Volunteer Committee Governing Board meetings held at the Philadelphia office.
“My main objective with the committee is to expand the number of members and ultimately increase the fundraising donations to the orchestra,” Rabenou said. “There are many people in the area who enjoy the orchestra but [who] are unaware of our group, the monthly events we offer and the financial contributions the committees make to the orchestra.”
Rabenou said the organization understands people can’t always commute to Philadelphia, however, she hopes to make these people aware there are other, more local ways to enjoy the benefits of the orchestra. Another one of her goals as chair is to provide recognition to the committee members whose efforts have helped to raise money for the orchestra and support youth musical education.
“It is exciting to see the group continue to grow and expand,” she said. “Since many of these women have been with the NJ Committee for so long, myself and the members of the Philadelphia Orchestra very much appreciate their time, ideas, fundraising efforts and dedication.”
Future plans
In continuing to promote expansion, Rabenou has led the committee in changing its format, as it now hosts its monthly meetings in private homes so it can involve more speakers and musicians and host more luncheons. Additionally, throughout the next year, the NJCPO plans to sponsor bus trips, book reviews and cultural events while constantly raising funds for the orchestra and for the Van Resalear Fund, which supports education for young people.
This spring, the committee will host its “Spring Musicale” on Sunday, April 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the home of Drs. Calvin and Ursula Knowlton, located at 628 Windsock Way in Moorestown. The performances will feature renowned musicians Ricardo Morales on clarinet and his wife Amy-Oshiro Morales on violin, both whom are very well-known musicians in the orchestra who are highly sought after to perform.
In other months, NJCPO members will get to enjoy hearing lectures about orchestra-related topics and enjoy a “Luncheon with the Musicians” at a Philadelphia restaurant. In early May at the Presbyterian Church in Haddonfield, the children’s free concert will feature a musician from the orchestra who will perform. Then, the year will conclude with the organization’s second largest fundraising event, the “Holiday Luncheon” to be held in November. At this event, award certificates recognizing select members for their long-term contributions will be presented.
For information about joining the NJCPO, email Marian Wissman at mwissman33@yahoo.com.
