About

The Sinfonietta Pops Orchestra is an amateur pops orchestra organized under the not-for-profit

corporation of the Terre Haute Community Band Inc.

It was originally organized by the late

Dr. Earle R. Melendy in 1991 after his retirement as Professor of Music from ISU. His intent was to

offer amateur musicians in the area an opportunity to perform while providing the people of the

Wabash Valley an opportunity to hear a variety of live music in the Pops Orchestras tradition,

In 2005, Dr. Melendy signed a letter of agreement to operate the Sinfonietta under the provisions

of the By-Laws and Constitution of the Terre Haute Community Band, Inc.

After Dr. Melendy’s death in 2008, the Board of Directors of the THCB Inc. named James N. Chesterson, to the

position of Music Director of the Sinfonietta Pops Orchestra. 

The number of concerts performed was increased from two to four concerts,

two in the fall, and two in the winter/spring.

All Sinfonietta concerts are currently performed in the Cecilian Auditorium at St. Mary-of-the-

Woods College.