Prelude to a Symphony

McLean hosts both the McLean Symphony and the McLean Orchestra. Both are volunteer musical groups. We recently profiled the Orchestra three weeks ago. Today we introduce you to the McLean Symphony.

The McLean Symphony, established in 1971 has had one conductor --Dingwall Fleary. The symphony is "dedicated to providing good music at affordable prices to area residents in a handsome venue, the lovely Alden theatre at the McLean Community Center."

Maestro Dingwall Fleary has conducted the  the now eighty-member chamber orchestra for nearly 40 years.  He recently shared some of his thoughts about his  four-decade career with the symphony.

Patch: How was the symphony founded?

DF: When I moved to McLean, the Academy of Musical Arts asked me to start an orchestra for their students.  After five or six years, we broke away and formed a board of directors to help support us.

 It [the Symphony] was originally called the McLean Chamber Orchestra. It was much smaller... I was the founding director. There were differences of opinion and the orchestra split, but I retained the regular orchestra.

Patch: How do you differentiate yourselves from the McLean Orchestra?

DF: We have continued to be an all-volunteer orchestra. We try to keep ours more community based...to appeal to families, to everybody – not just traditional music.  We want to attract young people… We also have a competition in the spring where children can contribute music for us to play... We open it to any student in Northern Virginia… Last year, the youngest winner was seven and the oldest was seventeen.

Patch: How long have you been performing at the Alden Theater?

DF: Our group provided the brass ensemble that played for the ground breaking ceremony in 1971. We've been involved with them since.

Patch: Can you tell me a little about your musicians?

DF: Our musicians are all people who come from totally different walks of life. A few have music degrees but have gone into other professions…They all come with a love of music. We have had doctors, dentists, CIA agents, students, music teachers. We've even had a minister... We've had an age range from sixteen to ninety-three…The majority are from McLean or nearby.

Patch: Does anyone in the Symphony play in the McLean Orchestra?

DF: No. But some play in the Reston Orchestra [which I also direct].

Patch: What is your annual budget?

DF: $50,000 to $75,000

Patch: Who serves on your board members?

DF: Most live in McLean. They have diversified backgrounds. We've had doctors, lawyers, shop owners, and singers in church choirs. There are always two to three players from the orchestra.

Patch: Who created the design on your program?

DF: A George Mason student, Clarissa Banner, under the guidance of her professor, Debra Smyers.

The symphony's next concert is 3 pm. March 19.