More than 30 Years of Music in Naples
1995
Founded and incorporated as I Musici di Napoli - "Musicians of Naples" - by Ralph Stewart
2004
Richard Holmberg succeeds founder Ralph Stewart
2008
Robert Dale Herrema becomes Musical Director
2014
2015
2019
2022
Today
Max Rabinovitsj begins his tenure as Artistic Director
Renamed The Naples Orchestra and Chorus
Becomes Naples Community Orchestra
Alvin Ho becomes Artistic Director
Professional, community and student musicians perform together
Naples Community Orchestra began in 1995 with fewer than fifteen musicians, a founder willing to build almost everything himself, and a simple conviction: people who love making music should have a place to play.
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Since then, the organization has grown through several names, artistic leaders and periods of change. What has endured is the commitment of musicians, audiences and supporters who believe live orchestral music belongs in the life of the community.
Ralph Stewart conducting at a Naples celebration of the grand reopening and rededication of its main street on 5th Avenue South & 6th Street South.
1995–2004
A Place for Musicians to Keep Playing
After settling in Naples, Ralph Stewart served as Director of Music at St. Leo Catholic Church in Bonita Springs. In February 1995, he incorporated a new organization called I Musici di Napoli. A musician, author, former Canadian parliamentarian and diplomat, Stewart had spent much of his life building musical communities. It began with fewer than fifteen musicians rehearsing sacred works, including Théodore Dubois’s The Seven Last Words of Christ, which the orchestra and chorus performed in Naples-area churches during the Easter season.
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Stewart stored the music in his home, handled much of the administration himself and welcomed amateur musicians who wanted to continue playing. Some were searching for a new musical home as the Naples Philharmonic completed its transition to a fully professional orchestra.
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From that small beginning came both an orchestra and a chorus—and the foundation of the organization NCO is today.
A Place to Make Music
Concert Musical Tales of Four Cities in February 2005, with works highlighting Vienna, London, New York & Chicago
Ralph Stewart conducting the ensemble at a performance in April 1997 at the Venetian Village.
A holiday concert conducted by Richard Holmberg (undated).
2004–2008
Leadership at a Critical Moment
When Ralph Stewart became ill in 2004, he asked Richard T. Holmberg to step in as Musical Director. Holmberg inherited the organization at a vulnerable moment and helped preserve its orchestra and chorus.
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He traveled from Estero to Naples to lead rehearsals entirely as a volunteer. His experience included 35 years as Director of Music for the School Town of Munster, Indiana, where he developed one of the state’s most successful school music programs and directed vocal ensembles involving hundreds of students.
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Holmberg’s tenure was an act of continuity: he kept musicians together and the music sounding while the organization prepared for its next chapter.
An early program photograph of Richard Holmberg.
A Legacy of Opportunity for Young Musicians
Joseph Johnson went on to attend the New England Conservatory of Music as a composition major.
Joe McClure playing the euphonium with the Naples Orchestra and Chorus at a pops concert (undated).
Robert Radcliff is congratulated by Richard Holmberg after his performance of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D major at a performance on March 26 at Golden Gate High School
Bob Herrema, pictured here from a concert program, continued the musical evolution of the ensemble.
2008–2014
New Standards and New Opportunities
Appointed Musical Director in 2008, Robert Dale Herrema built upon the work of Stewart and Holmberg while taking steps to strengthen the ensemble artistically.
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He introduced paid section leaders and a concertmaster, giving the orchestra experienced musical leadership from within its sections. His tenure also expanded opportunities for young musicians through scholarships, including the Ralph Stewart Scholarship honoring NCO’s founder.
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During this period, the orchestra and chorus also performed a commissioned world premiere celebrating the organization’s 20th anniversary—a sign of how far the ensemble had traveled from its earliest church performances.
Identity in Motion
Founded as "i Musici di Napoli" as a play on Naples' Italian name origins. The name translates to "Musicians of Naples."
Twenty years after our founding in 1995, the ensemble was rechristened "The Naples Orchestra and Chorus." Pictured above, are 2 iterations of our earlier branding and logo under this name.
In 2019, the ensemble was renamed again, reflecting its community roots and orchestral focus.
2014–2021
A New Name for a Growing Orchestra
Max Rabinovitsj brought the perspective of an accomplished conductor and violinist to the organization. During his eight seasons as Artistic Director, he challenged the musicians, strengthened the orchestra’s sound and helped raise its performance standards.
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His tenure also encompassed two defining changes in identity. In 2015, I Musici di Napoli became The Naples Orchestra and Chorus. Four years later, the organization adopted the name Naples Community Orchestra—a name that placed its relationship with musicians and the wider community at the center of its public identity.
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Rabinovitsj retired as Artistic Director in 2021, leaving an orchestra prepared for another period of artistic development.
Max Rabinovitsj strengthened the orchestra’s performance standards during his tenure as Artistic Director.
A Tradition of Ambitious Programming
One of the earliest programs in our historical archives (undated).
The Seven Last Words of Christ is a sancta cantata by French comoposer, Théodore Dubois. The work became a touchstone for the ensemble
One of the many Christmas and Holiday concerts performed by the ensemble through the years.
Pops programming has been a longstanding tradition and one that continues to this day.
Thematic programming has been part of the orchestra since the start.
Alvin Ho leads NCO during a period of continued artistic and community development.
2022–Present
Artistic Growth and a Broader Community
Alvin Ho became Artistic Director in 2022, bringing international conducting experience, musical precision and an ambitious artistic outlook to NCO.
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Under his leadership, the orchestra has continued to develop its artistic standards and present substantial orchestral repertoire with accomplished guest soloists. Professional, community and student musicians contribute to a shared ensemble built upon preparation, commitment and the experience of making music together.
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This period has also brought renewed attention to the wider community around the concerts: helping audiences engage more deeply with the music, encouraging young musicians, welcoming volunteers and creating more ways for people to participate in NCO’s work.
The Story Continues
What began with fewer than fifteen musicians has become an orchestra where professional, community and student musicians perform together—and where audiences, volunteers and supporters all help bring the music to life.
NCO’s history continues with every rehearsal, every concert and every person who finds a place in its community.
