Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra isn’t just about world-class performances — it’s also about nurturing the next generation of musicians.

In this episode, Paul Surapine, Executive & Artistic Director, continues the conversation on music education, youth programs, and the “farm team” that helps sustain a professional orchestra. From the Claflin Hill Youth Symphonies to private lessons, recitals, and the vital support of schools and communities, Paul reflects on how early training creates opportunities that lead directly to seats in the orchestra today.

We also zoom out to look at the bigger picture:

• Why music education matters for society

• How arts programs build stronger communities

• The challenges of sustaining these programs in changing times

• A “tornado moment” — asking what rules still serve us, and which ones we may need to rethink

Whether you’re a musician, educator, parent, or listener who loves great music, this episode invites you to think about the future of orchestras and the role of education in keeping them alive.

🎧 Tune in for an honest, thoughtful, and inspiring discussion about the past, present, and future of music education at Claflin Hill — and beyond.

For more information, please visit www.claflinhill.org

In this episode of Classical Gassing, we launch a new miniseries on one of the most vital topics for Claflin Hill and for the arts: education.

Host Bernadette sits down with Paul Surapine, Executive and Artistic Director of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, to reflect on the role of education in music, culture, and community.

Topics we explore:

• Paul’s first clarinet lesson in 1968 and how family support shaped his musical life.
  

• Why music education is foundational, not a luxury — it builds discipline, teamwork, and creative thinking.
  

• How arts education once flourished in U.S. schools, and the cost of today’s cuts.
  

• Lessons from Steiner schools, where music is a daily, essential part of learning.
  

• The dangers of lowering standards — and the power of teachers to elevate students.
  

• Why cultural education matters as much as science and technology for the future of society.
  

This conversation sets the stage for upcoming episodes featuring Claflin Hill musicians who are also educators.

👉 Share your thoughts, comment, and learn more at claflinhill.org.

When you walk into a concert hall, you see rows of violins, a wall of brass, and the percussionists poised at the back—but why are they always arranged this way?

In this episode of Classical Gassing, Bernadette Stockwell sits down with Paul Surapine, founder and executive director of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, to explore how orchestras are put together—literally.

From the bird’s-eye view in balcony seats to the perspective of musicians sitting inside the ensemble, Paul reveals:

• 🎻 Why strings sit up front, and why violins always go on the conductor’s left

• 🎺 The “hierarchy” within the orchestra—like a musical army with section leaders

• 🥁 How percussionists choreograph their parts like a ballet of rhythm

• 🎶 What composers intend when they place trumpets offstage or in the balcony

• 👀 Why watching is just as essential to the concert experience as listening

You’ll also hear stories from Claflin Hill concerts, like a child’s first magical moment hearing violins play in the holiday pops, and insights into what musicians really hear (or don’t hear!) while performing.

Whether you’re a dedicated concertgoer or just curious why orchestras look the way they do, this episode will change how you see—and hear—symphonic music.

Most orchestras fill their seats through formal auditions.

But at Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, the roster grows in a very different way: through referrals, relationships, and trust.

In this episode of Classical Gassing: Conversations About Culture & Community, Bernadette Stockwell chats with Claflin Hill's Executive & Artistic Director Paul Surapine taking us behind the scenes of how an orchestra without auditions has not only thrived for 25 years, but developed a distinctive “Claflin Hill sound” and spirit.

Paul shares the story of starting out as an orchestra contractor, making phone calls on legal pads in the pre-email era, and slowly building a trusted network of musicians. From Nutcracker pits to symphonic debuts, the orchestra’s growth has always depended on community connections.

We also talk about:

• Why auditions can be stressful and misleading — and why referrals often work better.

• How sitting next to someone in a rehearsal tells you more than any prepared excerpt ever could.

• The role of trust, dependability, and musicianship in building an orchestra family.

• How section leaders recruit and shape their groups, passing on the Claflin Hill “style.”

• A behind-the-scenes story of scrambling to replace a concertmaster the week of Mahler’s Fifth — and how the orchestra rose to the challenge.

• Why many of today’s symphony players are alumni of Claflin Hill’s Youth Orchestra program.

At Claflin Hill, filling the roster isn’t about numbers or auditions. It’s about people. It’s about musicians who share energy, spirit, and joy — creating performances that audiences don’t just hear, but feel.

🎻 Join us as we explore the human side of orchestral life and discover what makes this orchestra unique.

🎙 Classical Gassing: Conversations About Culture & Community — Episode 1
"Behind the Curtain: How an Orchestra Builds a Season"

What goes into planning a symphony orchestra’s concert season?
Spoiler: it’s a lot more than picking a few favorite pieces and calling it a day.

In this debut episode of Classical Gassing, host Bernadette Stockwell sits down with Paul Surapine, Executive & Artistic Director of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra, for a candid conversation about the art — and logistics — of programming a season that’s both audience-friendly and artistically adventurous.

From Beethoven’s Fifth to bold new discoveries, Paul shares how he balances “crowd-pleasers” with works audiences might not yet know they’ll love. It’s like designing a restaurant menu: some familiar comfort food, some seasonal specials, and just enough surprise to keep everyone coming back.

We talk about:

• Season strategy — how repertoire is chosen and sequenced.

• Tradition vs. innovation — why Holiday Pops remains a cherished anchor.

• Audience building — how “fusion programming” can introduce listeners to new favorites.

• The musician’s experience — why Claflin Hill feels more like a family than just a gig.

• Community impact — how a local orchestra becomes a cultural cornerstone.

You’ll also hear some great stories:
🎻 When audiences came for Phantom of the Opera but left raving about Scheherazade.
🥁 The 5-minute Russian piece that won over even the most traditional listeners.
🎶 How a percussionist’s 25-year tenure with the orchestra became “life-saving.”

Paul’s insights pull back the curtain on the decisions, challenges, and joys that go into every Claflin Hill season. Whether you’re a classical music lover, a casual listener, or simply curious about how cultural institutions thrive, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the people and the passion that make it all happen.

Listen now and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.
Learn more at claflinhill.org

Links mentioned in this episode:
🎥 Milford TV performance of The Iron Foundry in the season finale: Silver Anniversary Triumph
🎼 Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra 26th Season details

The heritage is not the celebration of ashes, but keeping the fire burning. — Gustav Mahler