BY RUTH RICE
RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM
As a member of the first violin section of Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Jean Sedlar of Richland Township has a history of championing the cause of music programs at a grade school level.
She has been with the symphony since 1973, a year after she arrived in Johnstown to teach history at Pitt-Johnstown and has played regularly, except when she has been on sabbatical.
“When I heard that Johnstown had a symphony, the first year I was here, I went to a concert to see what it was about,” Sedlar said. “My impression was that I’d like to join, and I felt I could qualify. It was a good level for where I was musically.”
Sedlar is pleased that the symphony plays a lot of classical repertoire.
“My main interest is classical, so I’m glad we don’t do all pops,” she said.
Sedlar explained that a symphony orchestra typically has about a dozen members in its first violin section. Those members play as a group rather than performing solos.
Sedlar is a firm believer of keeping music programs in the public schools.
A native of Wisconsin, she had her first experience with a violin in a school program in her hometown.
“I never would have played the violin except for a grade school string program, which I began in grade three,” Sedlar said.
A history professor with a doctorate from the University of Chicago, Sedlar was living in Chicago when she accepted the same position at Pitt-Johnstown.
Sedlar teaches European history, world politics and Western civilization at UPJ.
Sedlar has published several books on historical subjects.
The most recent are “Hitler’s Central European Empire” and “The Axis Empire in Southeast Europe.”
Sedlar’s hobbies are traveling and reading.
Sedlar’s children, Eric and Janet, are former members of the Johnstown Youth Symphony.
Eric is a software designer for Oracle Corp. in Redwood Shores, Calif., and Janet, who occasionally performs as a rhythm and blues singer, is a senior lecturer in Spanish at the University of Chicago.
Jean Sedlar
Position: Member of the first violin section of Johnstown Symphony Orchestra.
Residence: Richland Township.
Education: Received a doctorate in history from the University of Chicago.
Employment: Has taught European history and world politics at Pitt-Johnstown since 1972.
Family: Two children, Eric and Janet.
Features
Related Photos
-
John Rucoksy
Violinist a zealot for school music programs
- Features
-
-
Events | Arts fitness
“Music and Art for Heart and Soul” will be held from 6 to 10 tonight at Art Works in Johnstown! 413 Third Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
-
'New York City Subway Idol' | Soul, rhythm and blues singer in concert Feb. 18 at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center
Alice Tan Ridley is just as popular above ground as below it. The singer, known as “The New York City Subway Idol,” will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 at Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the Pitt-Johnstown campus in Richland Township.
-
All things afield at annual sportsmen's show
Folks who crave the great outdoors will have the chance to get a jump on their adventures by attending the 27th annual Allegheny Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show at the Monroeville Convention Center. The show, which runs from Feb. 15-19, is the only western Pennsylvania show dedicated to hunting, fishing and camping. It offers hundreds of exhibitors, dozens of live demonstrations and many seminars presented by experts in their fields of interest.
-
Venue of Merging Arts to host Slovak Mardi Gras
Slovak heritage will be the center of attention at an upcoming party. A Slovak Mardi Gras, or Fasiangy, will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 19 at Venue of Merging Arts, 305 Chestnut St. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
-
Go jump in a lake | Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge at Que to raise funds for Special Olympics
It takes a hearty soul to jump into a freezing Pennsylvania lake in February and pay money to do it. But that’s what organizers of the first official Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge are counting on. On Saturday, if people donate to Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, they can go jump in a lake.
- Area high schools have scheduled spring shows
- Tom Lavis | Coming unglued when trying to peel wallpaper
-
Westmont Hilltop High School has reached theatrical milestone
“The Pirates of Penzance” will mark Westmont Hilltop High School’s 50th year of presenting musical theater.
-
Curtains rising | Students acting out roles in spring productions
A variety of performances that promise to be entertaining are scheduled for area high school stages.
-
Tribute band to play best of Pink Floyd at War Memorial
This arena show will bring the lights and sounds of Pink Floyd. Brit Floyd, billed as the world’s greatest Pink Floyd show, will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, 326 Napoleon St., Johnstown.
- More Features Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
