Summer with the Symphony
About the Concerts
The Summer with the Symphony concert series is a beloved cultural institution that has brought world-class music to the shores of Lake Michigan for over two decades. Founded in 1994 by Martin “Marty” Dybel, Summer with the Symphony is a testament to the city of Whiting’s deep appreciation for the arts, blending professional musicianship with a community-oriented mission.
The Whiting Park Festival Orchestra
The Whiting Park Festival Orchestra was established in 2000 as an initiative to enrich Whiting’s cultural landscape and make the Summer with the Symphony concert series truly unique. Under the visionary leadership of its founding duo, Maestro Robert Vodnoy, and General Manager Martin Dybel, the orchestra quickly gained a reputation for delivering high-quality performances in the beautiful outdoor setting of Whiting Lakefront Park during the Summer with the Symphony concerts. Concerts are free to the public, making symphonic music accessible to all and attracting audiences from across Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. The Whiting Park Festival Orchestra and the Summer with the Symphony concerts are fully funded by sponsors, subscribers, and generous donations from the public.
A Unique Musical Experience
What sets the Summer with the Symphony concert series a apart is its picturesque venue. The lakefront setting provided a stunning natural amphitheater, where audiences can enjoy live orchestral music under the open sky with the Chicago skyline as a backdrop. Concerts often featured guest soloists, young emerging artists, and themed performances that celebrated everything from Hollywood film scores to patriotic tributes.
Each season, the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra draws thousands of attendees who come with picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and a love for music. The concerts have become a cherished summer tradition, fostering a deep sense of community among residents and visitors alike.
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
Maestro Robert Vodnoy, Music Director
Robert Vodnoy has enjoyed a long and illustrious career as a conductor, composer, violinist and educator. He made his professional debut as a conductor in 1975. He has been the music director of six American orchestras, including the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota, the Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony, the Huron Symphony, the Southwest Michigan Symphony, and the Northwest Indiana Symphony, for a total of over 100 seasons. He has guest conducted orchestras throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Rim including the Symphony Orchestra of the Zhejiang Song and Dance Theatre (China), Mississippi Symphony, Orchestra of the Colorado Music Festival, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Czech National Symphony, Orchestra Sinfonica de Sanremo (Italy), Maracaibo Symphony, National Philharmonic of Taiwan, Jonköping Symphony (Sweden), and the Seoul Philharmonic.
He was Director of Orchestras/Professor of Strings and Music History at Northern State University from 2005-2018. In 2000, he worked with Marty Dybel to establish the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra. In 2017 he co-founded the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota which is one of the few professional chamber orchestras in the State of Florida.
Vodnoy holds a BM summa cum laude and MM in composition from Hartt College of the University of Hartford and a DM in Conducting from Indiana University. He also studied conducting at the Monteux School for Conductors in Hancock, Maine, and at the North Carolina School of the Arts’ Summer Sessions in Siena, Italy.
Robert Vodnoy has enjoyed a long and illustrious career as a conductor, composer, violinist, and educator. He made his professional debut as a conductor in 1975 with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, which he led as music director for 30 years. He was Music Director of the Northwest Indiana Symphony (1976-1996), the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra (2000-present), the Huron Symphony (2010-2015) and has guest conducted orchestras throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Rim. He was Director of Orchestras/Professor of Strings and Music History at Northern State University from 2005-2018.
Vodnoy holds a BM summa cum laude and MM in composition from Hartt College of the University of Hartford where he studied under Arnold Franchetti. Vodnoy holds a DM in Conducting from Indiana University. He also studied conducting with Charles Bruck at the Monteux School for Conductors in Hancock, Maine, and with Piero Bellugi in the North Carolina School of the Arts’ Summer Sessions in Siena, Italy.
He and his wife Kayla reside in Venice, Florida and Valparaiso, Indiana.
Martin A. Dybel, General Manager
Martin "Marty" Dybel is a prominent figure in Whiting, Indiana, known for his significant contributions to the city's cultural and community life. A fourth-generation resident, Dybel has deep roots in the area, with his great-grandfather being instrumental in establishing the local St. John the Baptist parish in 1897.
Dybel has been deeply involved in Whiting's thriving arts scene. While Chairman of the 4th of July Committee - an undertaking that brought multiple days of family friendly celebration to the city of Whiting - Dybel decided to extend the community festivities to include the annual Labor Day Symphony Concert. This patriotic annual concert was so well received that it evolved into the Summer with the Symphony Concert Series. Founded in 1994, the Summer with the Symphony Concerts became an instant success, bringing a quality of entertainment in an environment that was unparalleled in the Northwest Indiana Region.
Beyond the Symphony, in 1995 Dybel founded Pierogi Fest®, an annual event celebrating Eastern European heritage. Collaborating with the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce, he envisioned a festival that would honor the community's ethnic traditions through food, music, and cultural activities. Pierogi Fest® has since grown into one of Indiana's largest festivals, attracting nearly 300,000 visitors each year.
The Whiting Park Festival Orchestra was added to the Summer with the Symphony Concert Series in 2000, created by both Dybel and Maestro Robert Vodnoy. The orchestra has been celebrated for its diverse performances, ranging from classical pieces to popular music, and has featured collaborations with artists like The Texas Tenors and Rachel Barton Pine.
Dybel's dedication to the arts extends to the Marian Theatre Guild, where he has been an active participant, acting as set designer for countless performances along with many other roles in the theater group.
Professionally, Dybel owns Baran Funeral Home in Whiting, continuing a family tradition of service to the community. His longstanding involvement and Baran Funeral Home’s support of various cultural, religious, and civic initiatives underscores his commitment to preserving and enriching Whiting's heritage.
After decades of volunteering, supporting, and building a strong, energetic arts and entertainment environment in the city of Whiting, Dybel is beginning to take a step back from volunteer life. Marty, as you slowly ease into retirement and begin to enjoy the programs that you built, the City of Whiting and its residents recognize you and are grateful for your dedication to our community.
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