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Yesteryear-Altoona Symphony Orchestra 1950s

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Douglas Brown of Royersford submitted this photo of the Altoona Symphony Orchestra on behalf of the Janet Blowers Brown family, formerly of Juniata. Janet died in 2022, and this photo was found among her belongings by her son, Douglas Brown. The approximate date of the photo is 1954 to 1958. The orchestra members included: first violins -- Elaine Trotter, Dan Spiuacolla, Betty Ashman, Leona Wilt, Don Smithgower, unknown female, Janet Blowers and Doris Thompson; second violins -- Ann Cherry, Doris Chotterton, Marie Freed, Happy Smitle, Shirley Charlesworth, Kay Hoover, Barbara Stauffer, Carol Thomas, Rose Adams, Darlene Diffeudorfer and Elaine Ebersole; bass -- Joan Dietrick, Dave Caum, Joan Chase, Doris Carl, Jeanette Salomic, Pat Brumbaugh and Doris Bumgartner; saxophones -- Stan Hawk and Jack Hoover; flutes -- Gafaist Weston, Nestor Griffins, Benny Grove and Charlie Espennage; oboes -- Peggy Straley, Allison Taylor, Don Crain, Karl Ross and Charles Espenlaub; bassoons -- Wilma Watcher, Joe Urbinato and Albert Hyle; clarinets -- John Loose, Jim Gibbowy, Dick Cavina, Don Miller and Joe Yeager; french horns -- Denny Gibson, Don Perry and John Croft; bass horn -- Ron McNeel; trumpets -- Don Brumbaugh, Jim Gorman, Mike Pellgrove, John Buchanon, Dick Kanter, Joel Straittif and Lee Kantenwein; trombones -- Jim Lawrence, Ron O'Conner and Sheldon McDonald; drums -- Wayne Fleck, Bill Alwine, Nick Vasile and Fred Nagle; cellos -- Phyliss Trotter, Lynn Stewart, Phyllis Weiss, Virginia Urbivato, Carol Weber, Barbara Murphy and Donna Meliaffie; violas -- Marjorie McDowell, Jean Aurandt, Eleanor Rhine, Sally Sarver, Barbara Black and Carol Riggle. John Monti was the conductor.

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