About the Hill Country Community Orchestra

ABOUT US

The Hill Country Community Orchestra (HCCO) was formed in 2002 to provide an opportunity for non-professional adult musicians to perform in a dedicated orchestra environment. One of the top professional music directors in Central Texas, Dr. Thomas E. "Doc" Rainey, has provided the musical direction and vision for HCCO since its founding. Dr. Rainey is well know for his development of individual musicians and for his ability to raise the performance level of various types of ensembles.

"Doc has made me feel like an important part of HCCO from the time I first joined, even though I had not played my cello for years. Each month, he recognizes my improvements and provides direction on how I can more effectively play the pieces HCCO is tackling for the next concert," stated Robert Pearson. The management of the Palace Theater in Georgetown stated that they were impressed with the improvement Doc had made in the Orchestra's performance and sound in the eight months between the March and November 2003 concerts.

Laura Castleman, Assistant Concertmaster, in a letter to Dr. rainey at the end of the first season wrote: "Thank you for making my Monday evenings so enjoyable. I so look forward to the practice each week. By the end of practice, I can always hear the improvement on the tough phrases of each piece we are working. I am amazed by how hard you prepared yourself to teach us and yet how you still make learning so much fun."

Founders

HCCO was founded through the initiative of violinist Mary Ann Hetrick (link to the Leander School of Music) who wanted to provide an outlet for musicians like herself in the community who enjoyed performing together. She placed a public service announcement in a local paper and solicited the help of her friend, Becky Hamilton, also a violinist, to help organize the group should anyone respond to the announcement. One of the first responses came from Dr. Rainey, who was then a music director at McNeil High School. With great enthusiasm, Doc volunteered to conduct the Hill Country Community Orchestra.

Mary Ann and Becky coordinated the initial phase of forming the orchestra. Doc held practices every other Sunday afternoon at the McNeil High School band hall starting in March of 2002 to find out who was interested in consistently participating. Out of 45 musicians who initially responded, about 15 formed the basis of the Orchestra.

From left to right: Becky Hamilton, Dr. Thomas E. Rainey, and Mary Ann Hetrick

In June, John Gordon, initiated the organizational development of HCCO. He drafted a set of bylaws for the organization, which were reviewed by Doc, Mary Ann, and Becky and approved by the musicians. Dr. Rainey was subsequently elected as the Director of Music, John Gordon - President, Brett Bachus - Vice President, Sara Manning - Secretary, Lauri Gillam - Treasurer, and Brent Acuff - Director of Public Relations. Upon Dr. Rainey's recommendation, the musicians voted to move practices to Monday nights. Round Rock High School band hall became the practice home for HCCO. In August, John completed the application process for the Hill Country Community Orchestra to become a corporation in the State of Texas. Sara Manning provided invaluable service in keeping all participating musicians informed of the Orchestra's activities during the fall as many new musicians joined in. By March 2003, John Gordon, had complete the application for and received word from the IRS that HCCO had been granted 501(c)(3) recognition as a non-profit organization.

Founding Board Of Directors

Photo of HCCO Board of Directors

Founding Board of Directors, from left to right: Sara Manning, Brett Bachus, Dr. Tom "Doc" Rainey, John Gordon, Brent Acuff (not pictured-Lauri Gillam)

By late fall of 2002, the Orchestra had grown to 40 musicians. Dr. Rainey had directed twenty-four practices working on sufficient pieces to assure the Board of Directors that HCCO could launch its inaugural concert season in the spring of 2003. John Gordon then set up four concerts starting with the first at the Texas Ballroom of Sun City in Georgetown Texas. That first concert on a Saturday night, February 22, 2003, featured Dr. Thomas E. Rainey conducting 45 musicians of the Hill Country Community Orchestra to the enjoyment of a very appreciative audience.

With this successful completion of its inaugural concert, the Hill Country Community Orchestra established itself as a viable organization to bring beautiful music to the communities throughout Williamson County. Dr. Rainey and the volunteer musicians look forward to the continued growth and impovement of the Orchestra as it provides an outlet for amature musicians to share God's gift of their talent.