Hermann Rinne (1889-1949)

The son of a grocer, Hermann Rinne became a leading music educator and the founder of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis. He graduated from Emmerich Manual Training High School. Following in his father’s footsteps, he initially owned a grocery store at 32nd and Park Avenue. But music was his passion, both playing and teaching percussion.

He played tympani and percussion with the Victor Herbert Orchestra, the John Philip Sousa Band, the English Theater Orchestra, and an early Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He was active in forming school orchestras and a popular group known as the Knot Hole Band, in addition to starting his own musical instrument company.

His greatest legacy is the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis. Organized in 1940 and under his direction until illness forced him to retire, the orchestra continues to be open to those musicians who “love to play but have other occupations.”