Who We Are
The Rio Hondo Symphony performs four admission free classical music concerts each season at the Vic Lopez Auditorium at Whittier High School, Whittier Ave. in Whittier California. The concerts start at 3 PM, have one intermission, and are completed before 5 PM. Two concerts are held in the fall, and two in the spring.
Each concert is preceded by a Concert Preview sponsored by the Rio Hondo Symphony Guild and is held at 10 AM on the Friday before concert. In addition, each concert is followed by a reception hosted by the cities of Whittier, Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera and the Symphony Association in a separate location for each reception. Members at the Soloist level ($150) and higher will receive an invitation to the reception in the mail.
Various special events related to the Rio Hondo Symphony are held each year.
Meet the President
Neal Welland - RHSA President
Neal Welland
Neal Welland, retired Santa Fe Springs Fire Chief, has been named President of the Symphony Association for the 78th Season, 2010-2011. He succeeds Bonnie Price.
Welland worked for 30 years as a firefighter for the Santa Fe Springs Fire Department, the last seven years as Fire Chief.
He graduated from UCLA in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology. Currently he is working on his master's degree in Organizational Leadership at Azusa Pacific College.
The very busy retired firefighter manages to find time to volunteer for numerous nonprofit organizations. Currently he serves on the Board of Directors for several groups, including: American Cancer Society's Leadership Council; Advocates for People's Choice; Quaker Meadow Christian Camp; Rio Hondo College Foundation, and the L.A. Center of Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Originally from Santa Fe Springs, Welland later moved to Whittier where he graduated from Cal High. He and his wife, Bettyann, now live in Yorba Linda.
In his spare time, Welland keeps active by SCUBA diving, water skiing and working around the house.
Classical music has always been his special passion. Now he is helping to make it possible for everyone to enjoy beautiful classical music, close to home.