Pictured l to r: Christopher Constantino, Madi Fischer, Dr. Heidi Swanson, Sandy Fennell, Larry Podey, Sophie Jamrom, Tom Frankenburg and Nancy Podey
T
he Pittsburgh Historical Music
Society has been enchanting
audiences across southwestern
Pennsylvania for many years.
Created with the intent of bringing
a vibrant, historical musical experience
to life, the Pittsburgh Historical Music
Society (PHMS) was founded in 2010 by
William Lockard, the musical director and
conductor. The society transports audiences
into the 18th and 19th centuries—
performing on original-style instruments,
in historical dress and in historical venues.
PHMS recreates the experience of the
music venues of Pittsburgh’s past in a lively
and engaging manner.
The musicians play for the love of
history and music making. Currently, the
chamber orchestra has 15 members, which
was typical of 18th century orchestras.
“The PHMS appeals to a limited group of
musicians who are willing to perform in
period dress and in the playing styles of
over 200 years ago,” explains Lockard. “The
orchestra has an authentic sound invoked
using period style instruments including
violin, viola, cello, viola da gamba, bass,
harp, one key flutes and percussion.”
The group has created a unique concert
setting with the immersion events in which
they perform regularly. They bring their
audiences into the 18th century with music,
candlelight, historical dress, food and
drink, portraying the past within historical
settings.
The orchestra rehearses twice a month
on Sunday afternoons in the Depreciation
Lands Museum, where the group often
performs. “The Depreciation Lands
Museum has been a very supportive
partner to the PHMS from its inception,”
says Lockard. PHMS organizes events
in collaboration with historical sites in
southwestern Pennsylvania, and the
orchestra consists of all-volunteer members.
Some events, like the recent Third Annual
Candlelight Concert in February, are
organized directly by PHMS. Others are
organized by the historical venues. Lockard
and co-administrator Mary Fantozzi
organize the events for the group and
work in cooperation with members of the
historical sites.
Lockard says the Pittsburgh Historical
Music Society strives to bring the music
of the Baroque and Classical periods to
the audience as they would have been
performed at the time they were written.
This requires the orchestra to learn playing
techniques from the past. Guest artists also
participate using other period instruments
for some programs. Vocal renditions of
songs add an enchanting element to the
performances.
Lockard has been a teacher and
performer his entire career. He started the
string program in the Fox Chapel Area
School District, where he taught for many
years. During that time, he was active
with starting PMEA Honors Orchestra
and Strings North. Since retiring, he has
devoted himself to teaching private lessons
to students in the North Hills area. He also
owns a violin company, Olde World Violins,
which sells baroque instruments to the
Early Music community.
“To me, the greatest value of historical
music presented in this way is in the
experience it offers,” says Laura Kazimir
of Shaler Township, who has been both
an audience member and a volunteer for
PHMS for several years. “You’re in an
intimate setting with a few dozen people
where you not only hear the music, but
can actually feel the vibration of the strings
and the warmth of the candlelight. The
absence of electronic light and sound wakes
up the senses. The whole presentation
just connects everyone—the players and
the audience—in a way that feels very
personal.”
“There’s a lot of attention to detail and
work prior to the concert night to create
the atmosphere experienced during
the candlelight concert,” says Fantozzi.
“The volunteers from PHMS and the
Depreciation Lands Museum have truly
created a wonderful sense of community.
Without volunteers behind the scenes, such
a night would not be possible.”
PHMS also has an affiliate group, The
Wayward Companions, which is a band that
plays the popular music of the 18th century,
including music from Scotland, Ireland and
Great Britain as well as music of Colonial
America. Songs range in scope from the
local tavern to the genteel parlor.
The society orchestra has a concert
series that takes place at historical sites in
southwestern Pennsylvania. The PHMS is
currently recreating its website, which will
be available soon.
For more information regarding
upcoming concerts, or to join the group’s
mailing list, please contact william@
pittsburghhistoricalmusicsociety.org
or mary@pittsburghhistorical
musicsociety.org. ■
Tom Frankenburg and Mia Fantozzi
hampton
❘
spring 2019
27