Too many people think of the arts as luxuries, as jewels, things that may not be necessary in times of need, things that can be put off. The arts are inherently valuable, and they're also a part of what's going to get us out of this economic problem we're in.                                                                                   Luis A. Ubinas, President, Ford Foundation

   

Helen Shaffer

 

We greet 2012 with great anticipation and hope that you will meet with great success this coming year so that this valuable art form remains alive and vibrant. Shortly, you will be receiving a call from one of our board members. Please let the board member know how we can be of assistance to you. One of our goals is to support you in order to encourage and insure your success.

  We want to remind you to begin making plans to attend the conference in Kansas City to be held Wednesday May 15, 2013 through Saturday, May 18, 2013. You will find some details in this e-News.Each e-News and newsletter will continue to add more details so read carefully. These conferences have opportunities for networking and making new friends.

I also remind you of the League of American Orchestras conference to be held in Dallas. This conference will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2012 through Friday, June 8, 2012. There will be excellent programs for the volunteers. Mark your calendars now.

 We look forward to seeing you at the conferences and anticipate a great 2012 for your orchestra.

AMSOV 2011-13 BOARD 

Meeting in Nahsville, Tennessee at their first Fall AMSOV board meeting of the 2011-13 term are Iris Harvie, Mary de Tray, Deborah Brown, Marjorie Saulson, Michel Minor, Helen Shaffer, Sally Bullard, Arlyss Burkett, and Charles Cagle.

NASHVILLE SYMPHONY LEAGUE HOSTS AMSOV BOARD

Charles Cagle (below) welcomes the AMSOV board as he stands by a door of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The Center, completed in 2006, is home to the Nashville Symphony, which AMSOV board members heard perform on Saturday evening of the weekend the AMSOV Board met for its Fall board meeting. The Nashville Symphony League volunteers hosted the AMSOV board, which conducted its business in the Center's board room. 

Michel Minor, Marjorie Saulson, Arlyss Burkett, Sally Bullard, Charles Cagle, and Iris Harvie enjoy refreshments during intermission at a performance of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.

ATTENTION TO DUES CONTINUES

 It is not too late to pay your dues for the 2011 - 2013 biennium, says AMSOV Treasurer Mary de Tray, a volunteer with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. To renew your individual membership, download the Alumni Dues form at www.amsov.org; or if you have questions, email info@amsov.org . The Alumni category is for individuals who have attended an AMSOV Conference in the past. Mail your completed Alumni Dues form and check to AMSOV Treasurer Mary de Tray. Find her address at the bottom of the dues form.

A benefit of membership in AMSOV is the networking tool of the

AMSOV Member Organizational Directory. The current issue hit the mail in late December, reports Iris Harvie. She is a member of The Cleveland Orchestra volunteers and is the AMSOV officer who prepares the Directory for distribution. 

The AMSOV Directory provides contact information for AMSOV members and includes an AMSOV history, a profile of projects and activities used by the volunteer organizations, and the AMSOV bylaws. Deborah Brown, a member of the Dallas Symphony League, is the AMSOV officer in charge of updating the membership database, to ensure the Directory information is correct. 

The Directory also includes volunteer coordinators and/or executive directors of current member orchestras, presidents or chairs of Principals and Affiliates, and Alumni with paid memberships from the 2010-2012 and/or the 2011-1013 biennium. Thank you to Iris and Deborah for their work on this latest Directory.

FUNDRAISING IDEAS 

A benefit of AMSOV membership is the networking opportunitites and the AMSOV newsletters packed with new ideas.This issue focues on fundraising idea from members.

DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LEAGUE

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League announced a new Deb It shopping card program. This innovative fundraising program offers card holders discounts at exclusive boutiques and stores in Dallas. For merchants, the Deb It program offers exciting partnership opportunities. Cost of the card? $65.00.

This shopping card program will work with various Dallas merchants offering discounts to the Debutantes, their family members, and The Honor Guard who will be attending the Debutante Presentaiton Ball, a major fundraiser each year sponsored by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, as well as other related events. The Deb It card will also be sold to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League patrons.

Debutante Ball Chair Lilly Young introduced the concept, and she immediately got into action to implement it. Quckly, $45,000 was raised with a potential for raising $500,000. The program runs from October 2011 through February 2012.

How It Works. Merchants wil give card holders a 10 percent discount and donate an additional amount to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League. Many of the same merchants that have already offered to provide proceeds to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League in prior events have been solicited. A local magazine is the media sponsor and will offer on-going VIP Event Invitations to card holders.

The League's goal is to obtain 100 merchants for the 2011-12 season, which will offer wonderful shopping opportunities and excellent services for the Deb It card holders.

DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA VOLUNTEER COUNCIL

 The Nutcracker Luncheon, a time-honored fundraising event for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) Volunteer Council, was held December 6, 2011 at The Dearborn Inn in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. This year it had a new twist. We offered a refreshed version, explained Janet M. Ankers, President of the DSO Volunteer Council. 

The luncheon event featured excerpts from Tchaikovsky's beloved Nutcracker Suite ballet, danced by members of Ballet Americana of Taylor, Michigan. Guests were offered a chance to win one of three gift certificates from Neiman Marcus department store and a larger choice of gifts for purchase from the greatly expanded inventory of Shop @ Max, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's in-house gift shop.

Pricing for the event ranged from $65 to $150, with a fair market value of $45. We anticipated 200 members and non-members, explained Ellie Tholen, Vice President of  Public Relations for the DSO Volunteer Council.

Fort Worth Symphony League 

Tri-Arts is a unique fundraising collaboration of three Fort Worth, Texas volunteer organizations: Fort Worth Symphony League, Fort Worth Opera Guild, and Ballet Guild of Fort Worth.

The sedcond annal Tri-Arts Festival proved a stunning success. More than 200 patrons paid $125 each to enjoy an evening of string music, opera and ballet. The event was staged in a century-old railroad station that had been turned into a sparkling wonderland of colord lights, glowing candles, and decorative flowers.

Fort Worth Symphony concertmaster

The highlight of the evening was a representative presentation by each of the three performing arts. The Fort Worth Symphony League presented a string quartet, led by the concertmaster of the Forth Worth Symphony. The Opera Guild presented a series of arias sung by Ava Pine. The Ballet Guild presented a Swan Lake pas de deux by dancers from the Texas Ballet Theater.

The history of the Tri-Arts Festival dates back to 2010. The three volunteer groups worked together to organize the event and pool their efforts to sell tickets and attract donors. The first Tri-Arts Festival was a  modest success that inspired a second try. The second year saw a tripling of funds raised at the Tri-Arts Festival. Underwriting and in-kind donations covered most of the expenses.

GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY WOMEN'S COMMITTEE

 For the 2011-12 season of the Grand Rapids Symphony Women's Committee, the group plans three major fundraisers. "The biggest is a second edition of our very successful cookbook," said President Sarah Bowman Peterson. She explained that the Committee published a cookbook in 2002 and raised over $65,000 for the Grand Rapids Symphony.

This year, Chairs Gina Paul, Lori Curly, Kim Roy, and Leah Hooks set a goal to raise $75,000 to $100,000. "We have to set the bar high!" exclaimed Peterson. She explained that this cookbook will be similar in  format to the one published almost ten years ago but added are contemporary chapters like Healthy Alternatives and Family Friendly Dishes, in addition to the appetizers, breads, salads, and main course mainstays.The new cookbook will be titled Conducting in the Kitchen - 10th Anniversary Edition.

On March 24, 2012, the Women's Committee will produce a one-night fundraiser, David and John's Fantastic Follies! Peterson explains that this will be a spin-off of the three variety shows produced in the past. The fundraiser will be held at Wealthy Theatre, an old theatre full of history and charm. Peterson said, "We love this space for its casual atmosphere and vaudeville feel." The show will feature various skits, satirizing the Symphony, its conductors, past pops shows, and Women's Committee fundraisers. Martha Bowman is Chair. In the past, such an event raised an average of $9,000 to $10,000.

The closing fundraiser for the 2011-13 season will be the Grand Finale Luxury Raffle. Peterson explained that this is a very successful fundraiser that the Women's Committee produces every summer at the Picnic Pops venue in Cannonsburg Ski Area.

The Symphony plays four weeks of pops shows, and the Women's Committee sells raffle tickets to patrons. The Women's Committee begins selling the $5 raffle tickets in May, and the drawing takes place the final day of the summer season. The prizes last year included a $2,000 gift certificate to Almassian Jewelers, flowers delivered every month for a year from Eastern Floral, a luxury box at the West Michigan White Caps, and dinner for four once a month for a year from any Gilmore Restaurant in Grand Rapids. Last year's Chairs were Bonnie Monhart and Karen Roth, and they raised $20,000 for the Grand Rapids Symphony.

HOUSTON SYMPHONY LEAGUE

Scoring high as a  successful fundraiser is Magical Musical Morning. The Houston Symphony League introduced it in 1997 to attract a donor base of young families who attended the Houston Symphony.

Magical Musical Morning is a holiday celebration for chldren of all ages and features crafts, musically inspired activities, the Symphony Store, entertainment by several Houston Symphony musicians, and brunch. The event, after 15 years, has become one of the premier children's holiday events in Houston. In 2011, it carried a theme of Spoonful of Sugar and featured a musical instrument petting zoo, pictures with Santa Claus, cookie decorating, craft activities, as well as the Symphony Store, musical entertainment, and a delicious brunch. Attendance exceeded 320, almost a sell-out for the facility.

Proceeds from the 2011 Magical Musical Morning benefit Symphony Scouts, an educational program developed "to enrich our children's musical awareness by introducing young children to orchestral instruments and the beauty of music through interactive and small group presentations by Houston Symphony musicians," according to its mission statement.

Planning for Magical Musical Morning starts early. In September, Co-Chairs Viviana Denechaud and Christina Hanson formed a Host Committee and a Grandmothers Committee. They started fundraising and by November 2nd had already surpassed their goal of $45,000. On October 31st, invitations mailed. Other committees worked on decorations, activities, crafts, and recruiting volunteers to work the day of the event.

League members without children or grandchildren participate by sponsoring a child from the Salvationa Army Family Residence. Last December, more than 20 children from the Residence were able to join the festivities because of the generosity of Houston Symphony League members.  

Kansas City Symphony Guild

The Kansas City Symphony Guild held its 37th annual Homes of Note Tour, National Treasures, on November 16, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. President Laurie Burgess reported that the tour featured three fabulous private homes decorated for the holidays at the National Golf Club of Kansas City in Parkville, Missouri. Our Holiday Boutique featuring local vendors was located in the National Clubhouse, a members-only venue.

 The prior evening Guild members, guests and homeowners enjoyed a pre-tour Celebration at the Clubhouse featuring an open wine bar, light appetizers, and shopping at the Boutique. This was fun for the Guild, as we seldom get to shop the Boutique the day of the tour. It was also an opportunity to meet our generous homeowners, the National Clubhouse sponsors, and spend time with one another.

The three featured homes are very large and required 200 volunteers to staff the several shifts at each home. The staffing chair worked diligently to fill the positions. Christ Lutheran Church generously supplied passenger vans and drivers to shuttle guests to and fro as they have done for 17 years. Guests had lunch at the Grille at the National or shopped and dined in nearby Parkville, Missouri, a charming little town along the Missouri River.

Preliminary results show that more than 1,000 people attended. The Kansas City Symphony Guild reached its goal of making much more money than spent. All proceeds benefit the Kansas City Symphony. The committee celebrated its success with a luncheon at Trezo Mare in Briarcliff Village in Kansas City.

This season, the Kansas City Symphony Guild is celebrating its 40th anniversary, Ruby Celebration. The Guild plans a tea at the home of a member to honor past presidents and the organization.

LOS  ANGELES PHILHARMONIC AFFILIATES 

In November, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates presented a ground breaking Fundraising Workshop from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Choral Hall of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Center.

Learn the Secrets of Successful Fundraising was planned by Mary Deissler, Interm Vice President of Development for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. She is considered an expert in fundraising and manages the LA Phil's Captial Campaign. She planned and conducted the Workshop in cooperation with Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates Chair Aida Gaona and Fundraising Coordinator Sheri Gill.

LA Phil VP Mary Deissler explains numbers of fundraising.

VP Deissler began the event with a Power Point presentation on the basics of successful fundraising and explained how to achieve your numerical goal.

Twelve colleagues from the LA Phil's Development Department were then introduced and each assigned to be a mentor to one of the 16 LA Phil Affiliates committees, who had one or more representatives at the Workshop. Breakout sessions with the individual mentors ensued, with discussions on how the LA Phil could help committees reach their individual fundraising goals. 

Following the breakout session was a catered buffet where members could share their experiences and network. The Fundraising Workshop concluded with presentations from the breakout sessions, reporting on what specific ideas their committees could incorporate.  

Aida Gaona, Mary Deissler, Sheri Gill

All those in attendance agreed that the workshop was a unique, worthwhile, and motivational experience. 

The workshop provided the first time that the LA Phil Affiliates had the opportunity to work directly with the experts in the Los Angeles Philharmonic Development Department. 

MONTREAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA VOLUNTEERS

It was during an AMSOV Conference that volunteer representatives of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra / Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal came up with the idea to sell music scores to subscribers as a fundraiser for the Orchestra. This was the birth of the Music Score Fundraising Project. The volunteer committee took advantage of the new concert hall opening in September, 2011 to sell sheets of the score of Ludwig V. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which was on the opening concert program The sheets were annotated and signed by Maestro Kent Nagano. Each sheet, printed on both sides, sold for $10 each. 

Music Director Kent Nagano.

The volunteers sold the sheets at the season's opening concerts and at the open house for the new concert hall. Around 1,000 sheets were sold, and this initiative was deemed a great success.

Recently, volunteers decided to offer similar autographed sheets at three other concerts to be held this season with a goal of selling 1,500 sheets. The music sheets sold at a specific concert always include music performed at that concert. The success of this fundraiser was made possible by the cooperative collaboration of many volunteers, reported Monique Quesnel..

The 2100-seat La Maison Symphonique de Montreal opened in September, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Saint Louis Symphony Volunteer Association 
 

Party of Note held in a Saint Louis home

Motivated, organized, resourceful, and enthusiastic, Saint Louis Symphony Volunteer Association (SVA) members work year-round to raise funds for the Saint Louis Symphony. In addition to selling logo merchandise in the Symphony Boutique at concerts throughout the season, SVA members have embraced two key projects that fulfill the Saint Louis Symphony's mission "to enrich people's lives through the power of music."

The Gypsy Caravan tradition continues. Whether you enjoy hunting for baubles or jewels, birdhouses or housewares or just want to people-watch, Gypsy Caravan has become a Memorial Day tradition in Saint Louis. As one of the Midwest's largest antique, craft and flea markets, Gypsy Caravan will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2012 and will be held on the campus of the University of Missouri, St. Louis. Tempting food and beverages will be waiting for up to 20,000 Gypsy Caravan devotees. Gypsy Caravan has become the SVA's longest running project, and over the years, this project has generated more than $3 million to support the Saint Louis Symphony.

The other key project, now in its fourth year, is Parties of Note. It is the SVA's second-largest fundraiser. From casual to elegant, intimate to grand, a Party of Note gives attendees a chance to gather in some of Saint Louis' grandest homes and exclusive venues and enjoy a variety of themed parties throughout the year. Parties are donated by the hosts, and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the Saint Louis Symphony. The 2012 Pick a Party! Party will be held next April at Plaza Frontenac, and it will offer members the first opportunity to make reserations for over 30 different parties before they are offered for sale to the general public. 

SEATTLE SYMPHONY VOLUNTEERS 

For 33 years, the Seattle Symphony Volunteers have conducted a Poinsettia Sale as a fundraiser benefiting the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

Volunteers sell handsome poinsettias for pick-up or delivery to homes and offices in the surrounding area. The volunteers offer the plants in two  sizes and in a choice of red, white, or pink blooms, and they wrap the potted plants in a colorful foil wrapper. The Poinsettia Sale accounts for $1,600 to $1,800 each year in funds raised for the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. This dollar amount is a large part of the Seattle Symphony Volunteers' budget since the group has evolved into a service group.

The volunteers locate a grower to supply the plants. Volunteers wrap the potted plants in decorative foil. Then they recruit 10 to 12 volunteers as drivers, who cover the county for several days delivering the plants. Isa Nelson explains, "We sell to a limited customer base so most of the profit is from a law firm who donates $10 per plant delivered." This law firm orders 75 plants each year, and it has been a long-time customer. "It is fun to deliver to the same businesses annually."     

Toronto Symphony  VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE 

The Fine Wine Auction is the major fundraiser for the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee. The 21st Annual Fine Wine Auction, held last October, grossed over $233,000 and netted $186,000. Proceeds went to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.   

The Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee hires a professional wine appraiser and a wine management company, which serves as the official storage facility of the wines collected.

The volunteers oversee most of the Fine Wine Auction details including contacting potential donors and marketing and designing the catalogue of wines.The 2011 Auction took place at Waddington's Auction House where a large room was set up theater-style for bidders. In addition to on-site bidding, three volunteers took bids over the telephone. When guests entered, they paid no admission fee. Volunteers served them hors d'oeuvres, wine and coffee.

President Teresa Lasiuk explains that as a charity auction, advantages exist for both donors and purchasers. Donors receive a tax receipt based on the appraised value of the wine. Wine purchasers pay only the auctioneer's "hammer" price on wine purchases. No taxes or fees are added to the hammer price. In addition, the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee offers donors tickets to a Toronto Symphony Orchestra concert and an invitation to an exclusive Orchestra rehearsal.

For more information, see their website.