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Fall Luncheon
Seventy four Guild members gathered at the Country Club of Little Rock for the annual fall luncheon. The Rockefeller Quartet provided beautiful music as people entered the Garden Room at the Club. To start the meeting off, Mary Wildgen, Immediate Past President, presented the three Symphony Designer House XXI Co-Chairs, Jane Phillips (Rosen), Peggy Jones, and Kathy Searcy with a gift of appreciation from the ASOG. The Symphony Designer House raised $78, 500, of which $60,000 was immediately given to the ASO and $5,000 to the Foundation towards our pledge for the tympani chair. Mary Wildgen, Kathy Searcy, Jane Phillips, and Peggy Jones, Symphony Designer House Co-chairs
Betsy and Don Borchert with Alice Pfeiffer
Rockefeller Quartet
Martin Thoma of Thoma and Thoma and President of the ASO Board of Directors spoke to the group, praising the ASOG for their hard work and dedication to the ASO. The Guild, founded in 1968, has given $2 million to the ASO. Many orchestras across the country have closed or are experiencing severe financial issues. He was happy to report our ASO has finished in the black for the last 2 years. This is all due to the commitment of the Board, musicians, staff and the ASOG. Martin also shared he became involved with the ASO through the Symphony Designer House when Kim Montez asked him to volunteer.
Martin Thoma and Philip Mann
Martin introduced Philip Mann, Musical Conductor of the ASO to the group. Philip spoke enthusiastically about the 2011-2012 season and the effort and commitment of the musicians. Philip reminded us that they arrived in Little Rock one year ago today and how much they have appreciated the hospitality of the community. Philip also shared that he and Tatiana are expecting an addition to the Philip Mann family mid-February.
President Betty Herron addressing the group President Betty Herron discussed making a commitment to the organization by joining the ASOG, staying connected through the Yearbook and communicating via the web site, facebook and the Guild Notes. Betty thanked Debbie Bass, editor of the Yearbook for all her work in gathering our contact information and Karen Silvoso for getting the web site up and running(arsymphonyguild.org) and sending out email blasts as well as the Guild Notes via email. 
Betty also thanked the members of the Hospitality Committee, Mary Wildgen, Sherry Shinn and Claire Norman, for planning the luncheon. The next meting is Oct. 13 at 11:30 at the home of Jane McKinney and Rich Tripodi. Ushers Needed Members of the ASOG are eligible to usher at the ASO concerts and stay and hear the concert for free. If you are interested in being an usher please contact Alyce Haley at 223-2091 or alycehaley@sbcglobal.net. Concerts are hel Friday and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday afternoons.
 Musicians Appreciation Dinner
The date for the dinner has changed to Saturday, October 22 at 4 p.m. in Robinson Center. The ASOG provides dinner for the musicians 2 times a year after Saturday rehearsal and before the concert. This is a wonderful way for the Guild to express our appreciation to the musicians as well as to get to know them and put a name with a face. David Cato Chair along with Julie Cabe would welcome volunteers to help with setup, provide food, serve as greeters and assist with cleanup. Please contact David (650-1744 or lauderpro@yahoo.com) or Julie (661-9516 or jmcabe@att.net) and let them know you would like to be involved in this fun activity. We are usually finished in plenty of time for you to go home and return for the concert or just stay downtown.
Board News
Larry Burton, 4th Vice President, resigned from the board due to work commitments. The Nominating Committee, Mary Wildgen, Susan Marsh, Camille Williams, Alice Pfeiffer, Sue Senn and Debbie Bass, recommended Don Borchert for the position. He has accepted the position and we appreciate his willingness to serve in this capacity. The 4th VP oversees the Committee on Call, Concert Activities(ushering), Musician Appreciation and Artist Hospitality.
The Nominating Committee for 2011-2012 has met and they are seeking people interested in serving on the Board, as committee chair or as a member of a committee. Please let the people on the committee know of your interest and they would be happy to provide you with the information necessary for you to make your decision. You meet some wonderful people and have fun at the same time - all for the ASO!!!
Bios George Keck George Keck retired in 2011 after 42 years as professor of music at Ouachita Baptist University where he taught music history and piano. A native of Rogers and a life-long resident of Arkansas, he attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Iowa. Now that George is retired he plans to read, travel, and volunteer for causes that he has not had time for in the past, including the ASO. George and wife, Ouida, reside in Little Rock and Arkadelphia and have been season subscribers to the ASO since the 1960s.
(George has agreed to write bios of our new members as a way to get to know one another. Please enjoy the following bios and thank George when you see him!) 
Gail Davis Gail Davis was formerly a member of the ASO Guild and even served as treasurer. Gail declares that she thoroughly enjoyed her association with the organization and especially enjoyed the program Orchestra & You in the schools. So she may be familiar to many of our members, and she clearly is a dependable worker. Gail received a Bachelor of Music Education degree with emphasis in piano and voice from UALR and a Master of Education from UALR in Teaching the Severely and Profoundly Handicapped. As a consultant to intensive outpatient psychiatric programs, Gail traveled throughout the United States. She and husband, David, are native Arkansans but lived in Texas and Nashville before returning to Little Rock in 1999. In the past ten years, Gail served on the Board and as President of the Board for Women & Children First, as President of the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary (currently serving as treasurer), and as Elder in the Presbyterian Church.
Play Around Members of the ASO and Philip Mann will be performing a "mini" concert at the Capitol Hotel on Friday, Sept. 23 at 5:30. Invite a friend and make plans to attend this casual, informal event that should last about an hour. Cash Bar.
Membership Task Force
This Task Force has been meeting all summer and called the people who had not renewed their membership from a year ago and heard comments like "thank you for calling, I just forgot or I am so glad you called." They are now providing mentors for our 24 new members and D. Hester, Chair of the Mentoring Committee would appreciate ASOG members who are willing to be a friend and a mentor to a new member. Please contact D. at 228-4050 or djhester70@att.net if you would like to be a mentor. The Task force is focusing on retention and involvement. The ASOG is about recruiting member all year long so invite a friend to the next meeting and introduce them to the ASOG.
Symphony Designer House Task Force
They met and reviewed previous years focusing on attendance and funds raised. It was decided that Co-Chairs must be in place by Jan. 2012 in order to have a smooth startup. The 6 parties at Symphony Designer House XXI were very successful and introduced many new people to the ASO and ASOG.
Dates to remember:
The Children's Concert, October 29, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Robinson Center. Sharon Robinette is Chair - contact her at 224-8116 or Sharon.robinette@sbcgobal.net if you would like to volunteer.
Symphony on the Green - April 27, 2012 Contact Jane McKinney or Rich Tripodi if you would like to be involved. Jane at 353-2032 or jane@mcpodi.com or Rich at rfts@mcpodi.com. | 
