WHITTIER >> John Marin, who was once a member of a rock band, was recently elected and installed as President of the Rio Hondo Symphony Association at its Annual Installation Tea at First Friends Church.
“When I was a kid taking piano lessons and was an aspiring musician, I never dreamed that I would be the president of a symphony orchestra,” he said. “I am deeply humbled by this once-in-a-lifetime honor.”
Marin, of Whittier, attended Don Bosco Tech Institute, worked for several different companies and now is a sales representative of Patrick Industries.
However, he admits that the happiest days of his life were the years from 1978 to 1984 when he played mostly the piano but also the organ and synthesizer in the rock band, OTR.
“Our 82nd season looks to be the best ever and it is our goal to fill our beautiful 2400-seat concert hall to capacity four times a year,” Marin said.
Pico Rivera Councilman Bob Archuleta served as both the Master of Ceremonies and the installing officer. The city of Pico Rivera is one of the orchestra’s sponsors. Other sponsors are the cities of Whittier and Santa Fe Springs, along with Rio Hondo College.
Other officers who were elected and installed were Vice President, Madeline Shapiro; Secretary Maurice Meysenburg; Treasurer, Charles Barth and Immediate Past President, Randy Miller. Mary Herrera was elected and installed as a board member representing Pico Rivera.
Continuing on the board will be Leighton Anderson, Dorothy Carras, Joe Derthick, Chris Guptill, Iris Harris, Fred Latham, Elizabeth Lauritsen, Armando Lopez Jr., Dr. Joan Meister, Francine Rippy, Tim Schneider, Anne Young and Fred Zermeno.
Symphony Guild board members, who were elected previously, also were installed.
The brochure announcing the 82nd season of free concerts will be available August 15. For more information or a brochure, call 562.698.8626. Visit the website at riohondosymphony.org.
