Resident Steve Vorenberg brings the Wompatuck Senior Orchestra to Linden Ponds

When Steve Vorenberg moved to Linden Ponds, an Erickson Senior Living community in Hingham, Mass., in 2023, he was excited to have more free time to continue pursuing his love of classical music.

Since joining the Wompatuck Senior Orchestra two years ago as a bassoonist, he's been instrumental in fostering a strong partnership between the ensemble and the community.

"I've always believed that music is meant to be shared," says Steve. "The orchestra loves playing for an audience that appreciates the effort we put into every rehearsal, and it feels especially meaningful to share that music with my neighbors here at Linden Ponds."

Joining the orchestra

After moving to Linden Ponds from Dorchester, Mass., Steve started teaching a lifelong learning class through UMass Boston. One of his students introduced him to the Wompatuck Senior Orchestra and mentioned that the group was looking for a bassoonist.

"She said that they really needed a bassoon player," he recalls. "At the time, my schedule was very busy, but she encouraged me to consider the opportunity. The orchestra was flexible and understanding, so I decided to join. I'm very glad that I did."

The orchestra rehearses on Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon at the House of Prayer Lutheran Church on Main Street in Hingham. The 22-member ensemble practices and performs classical selections, all chosen with listeners in mind.

Their most recent concert featured Joseph Haydn's "Symphony No. 104," his final symphony, along with Jacques Offenbach's "Orpheus in the Underworld," which includes the familiar can-can, and the lively "Pizzicato Polka" by Johann Strauss.

"Our concerts are a little over an hour," Steve says. "It's just the right amount of time. The program feels complete, but it's still comfortable for the audience."

A shared experience

The orchestra reflects a traditional classical ensemble, including two cellos, a double bass, violins, bass clarinet, bassoon, two trumpets, three French horns, a trombone, flute, oboe, and clarinets.

But Steve isn't the only Linden Ponds resident who is a proud member of the orchestra. Two other residents, Ted Haines and Jane Crumlish, perform with the group.

For more than ten years, Ted has played trumpet with the orchestra. Jane, who plays the French horn, joined the group two years ago. Together, their participation strengthens the connection between the orchestra and the Linden Ponds community.

Community concerts

For years, the Wompatuck Senior Orchestra has performed at the church, drawing a modest audience of friends and family. However, last year, Steve saw an opportunity to introduce the ensemble to his neighbors at Linden Ponds.

As the orchestra prepared for its spring 2025 concert, he approached the director about the possibility of performing at Linden Ponds.

"I thought she'd say 'Maybe,'" recalls Steve. "Instead, she said, 'Yes, definitely!' and suggested a date just one week after our concert at the church."

Steve quickly connected with Linden Ponds' community resources manager, Molly Lynch St. John, to reserve the Performing Arts Center.

A full house

Word of the concert spread throughout the community, gaining a lot of interest. Steve was delighted to see more than 300 people fill the Performing Arts Center.

"The orchestra was delighted!" he notes. "When the musicians looked out and saw that many people in the audience, it made a real impression."

The strong turnout confirmed Steve's belief that Linden Ponds residents would enthusiastically welcome the orchestra. Since that initial concert, the orchestra has returned for two more, both of which were
well attended.

Members of the orchestra are currently planning for a fourth concert. "They appreciate having such an attentive crowd. They are always excited about returning to Linden Ponds," says Steve.

Each performance results in a score of new fans of the Wompatuck Senior Orchestra. In fact, residents frequently stop Steve in the hallway to ask about upcoming concerts.

"They keep asking, 'When are you coming back? I want to put it on my calendar,'" Steve says, with a smile.

The concerts are a welcome addition to Linden Ponds' active arts scene, which includes a robust calendar of other musical and entertainment groups that perform on campus.

Encore!

"Enthusiasm in the orchestra is such that we will always keep it going. They now look forward to our performances each season," Steve says. "There's something special about performing classical music right here at Linden Ponds, where the audience is made up of friends and neighbors. For me, sharing our music at home means a great deal."

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By Kelly K. Shue