News Release
Richard Weiner to be honored with The
Cleveland Orchestra's Sixteenth Annual
Distinguished Service Award
Award to be presented at October 13 Cleveland Orchestra concert
Release date: August 26, 2011
Richard Weiner
Photo by Roger Mastrioanni
Cleveland Orchestra principal percussionist Richard Weiner will receive the sixteenth annual Cleveland Orchestra Distinguished Service Award, honoring a person or organization that has provided continuing exemplary service to the Musical Arts Association (MAA). The Award will be presented to Mr. Weiner on Thursday, October 13, on the stage of Severance Hall, immediately prior to the beginning of the Orchestra’s evening concert.
Richard Weiner was appointed to The Cleveland Orchestra in 1963 by George Szell, who created the principal percussion position for him in 1968. Mr. Weiner has served as principal percussionist of the Orchestra for 43 years, leading the section longer than anyone else in the Orchestra’s history. In addition, he has served on numerous Cleveland Orchestra committees, including the Negotiation Committee (which he chaired for many years), Artistic Advisory Committee, Pension Committee, Travel Committee, and the Severance Hall Renovation Committee.
Executive Director Gary Hanson said, “Richard Weiner has served The Cleveland Orchestra with distinction over his 48-year tenure. As principal percussionist, Rich has exemplified the Orchestra’s devotion to the highest standards of artistic excellence. He has also played a vital role off-stage representing the musicians’ interests during more than four decades of institutional growth. Everyone in the Orchestra family owes Rich a debt of gratitude for his selfless and dedicated service.”
Biography
Richard Weiner will retire as a member of The Cleveland Orchestra at the close of the 2011 Blossom Festival in September, completing a 48-year career. He was appointed to The Cleveland Orchestra in 1963 by George Szell, who created the principal percussion position for him in 1968. Mr. Weiner has served as principal percussionist of the Orchestra for 43 years, leading the section longer than anyone else in the Orchestra’s history. Since 1974, he has held the Margaret Allen Ireland Endowed Chair. With the exception of the 1957 tour, Mr. Weiner has participated in every foreign tour that the Orchestra has undertaken, traveling with the Orchestra to the Soviet Union, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, China, and Scandinavia, as well as South and Central America. He has participated in more than 100 world or U.S. premieres with the Orchestra as well as more than 100 recordings.
A native of Philadelphia, Richard Weiner holds a bachelor of science in music degree from Temple University, where he studied with Charles Owen, principal percussionist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and a master of music degree, with distinction, from Indiana University, where he studied with George Gaber, former timpanist and percussionist with the NBC Symphony under Toscanini. In addition, Mr. Weiner was the first percussionist to be awarded the Indiana University School of Music Performer’s Certificate. Several years after joining The Cleveland Orchestra, Mr. Weiner earned a Juris Doctor degree, magna cum laude, from Cleveland State University.
As co-head of the timpani and percussion department at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Mr. Weiner plans to continue teaching and presenting clinics and masterclasses. He has volunteered to assist the Orchestra, speaking about his career at private and public events. Mr. Weiner and his wife, Jacqueline, have travelled to dozens of countries on tour with the Orchestra, and now hope to see more of the U.S. They will continue to spend time with their extended family, including four grandchildren.
The Musical Arts Association established the Distinguished Service Award in 1996 to recognize ongoing and extraordinary service to the Orchestra. Written nominations are reviewed by a committee currently chaired by Musical Arts Association Trustee Marguerite B. Humphrey.
Previous Distinguished Service Award recipients are: Dorothy Humel Hovorka (1996-97), David Zauder (1997-98), Ward Smith (1998-99), Christoph von Dohnányi (1999-2000), Gary Hanson (2000-01), John Mack (2001-02), Richard J. Bogomolny (2002-03), Thomas W. Morris (2003-04), Alex Machaskee (2004-05), Klaus G. Roy (2005-06), John D. Ong (2006-07), Gerald Hughes (2007-08), Louis Lane (2008-09), Clara Taplin Rankin (2009-10), and Robert Conrad (2010-11).
Press Contacts
Jennifer Schlosser, 216-231-7518; Email
Ana Papakhian, Office: 216-231-7476; Cell phone: 216-370-2595; Email
