Ron Mendola holds a Masters Degree in Performance from the University of Buffalo. He has been Director of the Jazz Program at Tech since 1979, the Orchestra since its inception 5 years ago, and also teaches Music History at Tech, in Oxford, England and elsewhere in Europe for Tech's Study Abroad Program. Ron also holds numerous credits as a professional songwriter and producer for many corporate clients, including Coca Cola, IBM and McDonald's. He has toured with his own Atlanta Metropolitan Orchestra for Columbia Artists' Community Concert Series and with many other artists including Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis and Burt Bacharach. His trumpet performances can be heard on recordings by Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, the Buffalo Philharmonic, Kenny Rogers and many others.

Assistant Conductor | Pete Ciaschini 

An accomplished violinist, Pete Ciaschini has appeared as an orchestral soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician in performances across the country. A founding member of the Exeter Quartet, he was also concertmaster of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra for fifteen seasons. Pete has taught violin and viola, coached chamber music, and conducted orchestras at all levels in Ohio, Massachusetts, and Georgia. In addition to working with the GTSO string section and Georgia Tech music minor students, Pete is concertmaster of the Atlanta Opera, an esteemed member of the Santa Fe Opera orchestra and a violinist with the Santa Fe Ensemble, and Orchestra Director at the Lovett School in Atlanta. He appears regularly with Chamber Music Atlanta, is co-concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra of Tennessee, and has collaborated with members of the Atlanta Symphony on many chamber music and chamber orchestra projects.

The President is the external representative for the orchestra to the community for the purposes of recruiting, interviews, and special projects connected to publicity and fundraising. They are responsible for the orchestra in the absence of the director.

The Vice President is the concert manager and "social officer" of the Orchestra. She delegates and oversees personnel and resources for concert presentations, and proposes and organizes group activities such as symphony and community concerts, dinners, and recreational outings. The VP organizes and communicates with the orchestra regarding these events and assists in other projects as needed.

The Secretary also doubles as the treasurer and bookkeeper, overseeing the collection of dues and tending to the finances of the orchestra, while keeping track of attendance records and handling other paperwork.

The Librarian is in charge of organizing and distributing music to the orchestra, as well as maintaining the orchestra's library of past music.

The webmaster designs, codes, and maintains the orchestra website with up-to-date information regarding the ensemble's members, performances dates and repertoire, and general information as a whole.