My wife and I recently attended a concert by the Bedford Community Orchestra (BCO) held at the Middle School. It was fantastic and the BCO can definitely compete with big city events. What an asset to have such a talented orchestra and a draw to attract visitors and retirees! It further enhances Bedford’s “Best Little Town” status.
James Gingeleski
As a new Bedford City resident, I can't tell you how thrilled my husband and I were when we found out that our little town of Bedford had an Orchestra. My husband and I moved here from Maryland where we went to live shows at the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore City as well as the theatres in Gettysburg, PA, Frederick, MD and in our own town of Westminster, MD. We went to concerts at the Lyric Theatre and Joseph Meyerhoff Concert Hall both of Baltimore City, which was a 45 minute drive from our home. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra was good but again it was a 45 minute drive from our home, plus parking fees and very expensive tickets. When we moved to Bedford we knew we would have to drive to either Lynchburg, Roanoke or even as far as Richmond in order to see a live show or hear a concert. Can you imagine our surprise to learn that there was an Orchestra right here in town? To say the least we were thrilled. The first concert we attended was last year's Fall Concert and we were blown away by the quality not only the music choices but the actual performance. I will go so far as to say, they were better than the Baltimore orchestra.
Irene May Catlin
My husband and I are recent arrivals in Bedford after spending a great deal of our lives living all over the world. We are so thrilled to have such a professional standard orchestra in Bedford and salute you for your expertise and enthusiasm as conductor. After hearing musical concerts globally I can honestly say that I enjoy your concerts as much as some of the most dramatic recitals in exceptional locations. Your musical selection is eclectic and exciting, offering the community music that is often not well-known or played in concert form.
Sandee Johnson and Sara Braaten
I was greatly blessed to have the privilege of listening to the wonderful musical talents for the second time of the Conductor and Musicians of the Bedford Orchestra! I truly feel blessed to have been given the opportunity and wanted to be sure to let you know how much I enjoyed and appreciated the honor! THANK YOU! Thank you for providing such excellence in our small town. What a pleasant surprise to find something of such great value just five minutes from home. I feel proud to be a part of a community that provides such fine work! I also wanted to let you know of the affect that you had on my Kindergarten students. My students and I have been studying about orchestras, so I was thrilled when four of them came to your concert. They all enjoyed it, but one student in particular had shown an interest. She told me, “I started crying when I got home, because the music was so beautiful.” I was impressed and pleasantly surprised! Six year olds do not normally react in this way! She also went to the school library and checked out a book and CD, which teaches young people about the orchestra. So, you see your great efforts just may have helped bring forth the next great classical musician! Society truly owes you a huge thank you!
Becky Hensley, Afternoon Kindergarten Teacher, New Covenant Schools of Bedford