By LAUREN SOVISKY
staff writer

A new face to both Erie and the Erie Chamber Orchestra (ECO), Camille Pierce will soon take the stage as the leader and general manager of the ECO.
Pierce is no stranger to instruments, playing five herself: the oboe, piano, flute, cello, piccolo and organ.
She is a graduate of the University of Maine with a degree in music performance and completed her master’s degree in music business at the University of Sheffield in England.
Having traveled much of the world, she has only been in Erie for about a month since she was appointed to the new position.
She said she had learned about the ECO on an internet job posting.
Pierce said she was drawn to the unique situation of the orchestra, its affiliation with Gannon University and its overall message that music can be shared with everyone, no matter who they are.
Since 1978, the ECO has upheld its mission to provide free concert music to music lovers no matter their age, income, education or cultural background. Each donation helps to preserve this mission.
“All of the concerts are free, and they always have been and will be,” Pierce said. “It gives people, no matter their socioeconomic status, so much access to classical music.”
The ECO recently received a grant from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority of $8,352, which helps the ECO continue to put on its concerts free of charge.
“The application was finished before I was even here,” said Pierce.
“Because we don’t sell tickets, we rely heavily on donations from the community and donors.”
Although the ECO just hired a new general manager, it is currently looking for a new conductor.
Matthew Kraemer, the current music director of the orchestra who has been with the ECO for nearly four years, will be leaving the ECO after this season.
“We have candidates lined up throughout this whole season,” Pierce said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what each can bring to the orchestra.”
In addition to a new conductor, throughout the season new soloists within and outside the orchestra will be performing to showcase local and national talent.
The season continues on Saturday, Oct. 22, with its next event, a concert inspired by the classics.
Violin soloist Jinjoo Cho will be performing Mozart’s Turkish-inspired Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major with additional performances of works by Sergei Prokofiev and Francis Poulenc from the orchestra.
The performance will begin at 7 p.m. at the Luther Memorial Church located on 225 W. 10th St.
To continue with the ECO’s motto of, “Hundreds of concerts, not one ticket sold,” admission will be free and open to the public.
LAUREN SOVISKY
[email protected]