Niles Orchestra seeing growth

The Niles Area Community had their fall concert at The Summit Church in Niles Sunday evening.

Sunday's concert included music from the movie Les Miserables, Frozen, Pirates of the Caribbean, and other popular numbers.

Eva Hab frequently attends concerts and said she really enjoyed this one.

“They love what they’re doing and it shows. When you know one is coming up, you make plans and put it on your calendar. You wouldn’t miss it," Hab said.

The orchestra started about four years ago with about twenty people according to Niles Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Valerie Rumpf.

"We wanted to just see if it would happen so we put a sign in our window at the academy about four years ago said that we were looking for members to expand an orchestra that we already had,” she said.

Little did they know how much it would grow over the next four years. They now have about 60 people in the orchestra and it is all volunteer based.

They have seen their audience grow over that period of time too.

“It’s growing. Each time we see a little bit more,” she added.

"The parking lot was full and it’s just growing larger the attendance every single year,” Hab said of the crowd.

NACO is also giving back to the community in a big way. Instead of selling tickets to the concert, they asked for donations from attendees.

“Our concerts as far as how much they pay for tickets, the price is zero with the stipulation that they bring non-perishable food items that we can get over to the Salvation Army here in Niles for their food pantry," said David Rumpf, Niles Orchestra Business Manager and Violist. 

This particular concert was important because the local Salvation Army was recently very low on food.

“Last Monday they just about ran out of food so this has been a very important concert for them. We like to do that. We give to the community in the concert but we also give to the community to serve those who are disadvantaged and need a meal,” he added.

They are always looking for people to add to the orchestra. If you are musically inclined and interested in joining, click here for more information. The next concert will be during the Christmas season.