Engineers orchestra chimes in on ASME's 125th anniversary

Last month, ASME and Stevens gathered once again at the site of ASME's first formal organizational meeting 125 years ago, Stevens Institute of Technology, to enjoy a performance by members of the Orchestra Inginerilor din Bucuresti (Romanian Orchestra of Engineers), composed entirely of engineers.

Conductor Maestro Petru Ghenghea leads members of the Romanian Orchestra of Engineers last month during a Heritage Day performance at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., the site of ASME's first meeting on April 7, 1880. The orchestra, which is composed of 80 engineers, was founded by Ghenghea in 1956. The anniversary performance was attended by approximately 300 people.

The Heritage Day performance was given in honor of ASME's 125th anniversary.

Above: Conductor Andrei Iliescu, a computer science engineer and the current conductor of the orchestra, takes over for his portion of the 90-minute concert. Below: ASME President Harry Armen (far right) greets conductor Iliescu on stage. Armen was one of several ASME dignitaries to attend the anniversary performance.

That first meeting in 1880 was attended by about 80 engineers — industrialists, educators, technical journalists, designers, shipbuilders, military engineers and inventors.

Above: Two orchestra members join a reception pianist in an impromptu jam session. Below: Students from host Stevens Institute of Technology participate in a reception that followed the Engineers Orchestra performance.

This year's anniversary event was attended by more than 300 people.

 

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