When Gene Chieffo visited the Hampton Roads area in 2014, he stopped by La Bodega in Downtown Hampton. He saw CDs and brochures for the Hampton Roads Philharmonic. This orchestra stayed on his mind when he moved to the area in 2019. He immediately applied to be a substitute in the orchestra. Four years later, Gene serves as our Executive Director.

Music has been a part of Gene’s life from the very beginning. He started clarinet lessons in 6th grade with his great-grand uncle, Michael Guerra , a highly-acclaimed clarinetist and saxophonist in Philadelphia for much of the 20th century. Guerra was in the audience at the first-ever Philadelphia Orchestra concert in 1900 and was the solo saxophonist when the Philadelphia Orchestra premiered Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances in 1942.

Gene is retired from two careers: he was a clarinetist in the Army Band for 20 years and was a high school teacher for 15 years. Now, he is semi-retired, serving as an adjunct professor at Christopher Newport University. He enjoys playing orchestral music, with Beethoven and Stravinsky being his favorite composers. He spends his free time playing in a few groups in the region, gigging here and there.

The Hampton Roads Philharmonic is a group of dedicated and passionate musicians of all ages providing music to Hampton Roads. Our members perform at larger concerts and smaller chamber performances across the region throughout the year. Learn more about our organization, or find out how you can join our orchestra.

Are you interested in meeting more members of the Hampton Roads Philharmonic? View our profiles on our Meet the Members page.