For its 10th anniversary season, Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra will reprise some of its most memorable shows including Beethoven's 5th Symphony, music from "Lord of the Rings" and "Tubby the Tuba."
But the Milford orchestra's most dramatic performance just might be members' determination to keep playing in the face of economic uncertainty.
Founder and Director Paul Surapine said, "The success story is that we didn't close our doors.
"We're surviving. I believe things will slowly turn around. I'm not saying there's a huge turnaround. We're still running on fumes," he said.
Surapine said Claflin Hill musicians hope the coming anniversary season will boost audiences with a "pretty ambitious" mix of monumental symphonies, intimate ensembles, the popular Holiday Pops and American classics.
Performing in the 650-seat Grand Ballroom of Milford Town Hall, CHSO will kick off a new season Saturday, Nov. 7, with a 7:30 p.m. concert "Pillars of Fifths," featuring Beethoven's and Shostakovich's similarly titled but very distinct "Symphony No. 5."
The coming season will feature five Saturday night concerts including Holiday Pops, two Sunday afternoon Family Concerts, a reprise of last season's chamber orchestra and two other events.
Throughout Surapine's tenure, Claflin Hill has earned a reputation for consistent excellence. Music authority Ron Della Chiesa described CHSO as "one of the finest regional orchestras in the country, bar none."
Surapine, also the orchestra's conductor, promised, "We're going to have some amazing programs this season. Our big goal is to reach out beyond our present audience base to inform people who are unaware they can hear a Boston-quality symphony in Milford."
He doesn't expect musicians to miss a beat as first violinist Angel Valchinov takes over as concertmaster for fellow Bulgarian Nicola Takov who joined an orchestra in Spain.
Surapine said Valchinov was "the natural choice" to take over as concertmaster, typically the first violinist to the conductor's right.
"Angel has got a panache and flamboyance that's entertaining to watch. We all admire him because he brings out the best in everyone," he said.
Raised in a musical family, Valchinov began classical violin training at the age of 4. After formal training at the prestigious Plovdiv Music School in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, he has worked with several of the most acclaimed violin teachers in Europe and North America.
A 29-year-old Newton resident, he has performed with CHSO for six years and is studying for his doctorate at Boston University.
Sitting to the conductor's right, Valchinov said Surapine "communicates to the rest of the orchestra through me."
Valchinov said he hopes to bring to Claflin Hill the "sincerity" of the classical musical traditions he absorbed in Europe. Yet he acknowledges American audiences often want a degree of "flashiness" and individuality in their musicians.
"Sometimes it's hard to separate between different expectations. I think as music makers our job is to find the best way. I think Claflin Hill represents a big part of that effort," he said.
Valchinov said he's deeply impressed several musicians accepted Surapine's request to perform without pay in a smaller chamber orchestra.
"It shows we care when we donate our time. Giving such an intimate performance is our true mission," he said.
Surapine said Claflin Hill members are looking toward the coming season with lots of hope and some nagging doubts.
He worries the closing of the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly last spring signals hard times for nonprofit arts groups like Claflin Hill.
Yet Surapine observed, "I'm getting a feeling money is loosening up.
"We've lost some sponsors and gained some new ones. Attendance was down a little bit last year but we had one of our most memorable seasons. We've got a strong core of musicians so we can be optimistic and plan for the next decade," he said.
Surapine, who lives on Claflin Street in Milford, teaches music at the Indian Hill School in Littleton and also plays clarinet and saxophone with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.
As president of Claflin Hill's board of directors, Bernadette Stockwell is convinced having a local symphony orchestra benefits Milford's reputation, the regional economy and residents' quality of life.
Beyond producing soothing music, Stockwell said the orchestra provides young musicians with internships and sometimes "their first professional gigs." Additionally, it provides a summer concert series and other programs.
"It's a difficult time for nonprofit music groups. It's really important to keep young people involved. We're always looking for new funding. If everybody on our mailing list just contributed $20, that'd pay for a whole concert. We hope people spread the word about us," she said.
Stockwell became involved with CHSO after taking clarinet lessons from Surapine. She later wrote a children's book about her experience which was turned into a concert for youngsters.
"An orchestra like Claflin Hill makes this community what it is. It's too easy to be complacent," said Stockwell. "Every time we get somebody off their couch to come and hear our music, it definitely benefits their spirit. That's the kind of experience we can't let die."
For information on tickets, sponsorships and membership benefits, contact Bernadette Stockwell at 508-478-5924 or visit www.claflinhill.org.
