May Guild Notes
 
June 4, 2012
Symphony on the Green

 

What a fabulous evening! Jane McKinney and Rich Tripodi, co-chairs for the event, are to be commended for a great job in planning and executing a fun and "jazzy" evening. People gathered at the Chenal Country Club for wine and/or the special drink while listening to the ASO Jazz Trio. At 7:30 people were ushered into the new updated ballroom where we were served a lovely Caribbean style dinner.

 

 Rich Tripodi

 

 The group from AR School of Mathematics and Science

 

Students from the Arkansas School of Mathematics and Science demonstrated ballroom dancing to the ASO Big Band music. They were fabulous and seemed to have a good time. I must say we had many fine ballroom dancers in the group who really seemed to enjoy dancing.  

 

 

 

 Greg and Cathy Hendrix of Ellis Infiniti and Erma Jean Carter
 

  
 Camille Williams and Pat and Paige James
 

 Jane McKinney, Co-Chair of Symphony on the Green and Betty Herron

 

 

ASOG Potluck Salad Lunch
 

 

 The ASOG Board had their final 2011-2012 Board meeting on May 3rd followed by a Potluck Salad Lunch with Committee Chairs and committee members. It was a great time to celebrate a wonderful year of accomplishment. 

 

 

Mary Fine and Sue Senn

 

 

 

 

Camille Williams, Jo Sears-Harkins, Debbie Bass and Betty Moore
 

 

 Jo Sears-Harkins and Sharon Robinette
 

 

 Don Borchert and D Hester

 

 
Christina Littlejohn, Executive Director, stopped by to thank us for all our work and for being the "best Guild in the world."
 

 

 Spring Luncheon
 

 

 

   

 

Music Director Philip Mann talked about the upcoming season and was presented a check from the ASOG for $50,000 in general support and $5,000 for the endowment of the tympani chair.

  

 

Camille Williams presenting checks totaling $55,000 to Music Director Philip Mann

 
The total amount we gave to the ASO in 2011-2012 was $70,000!! That is an incredible number and many hours of hard work and dedication by our Guild members made that number possible!! All in all it was a wonderful evening and raised $34,000 for the ASO. We want to thank the Symphony on the Green Committee for their fine work.

 

 I am sorry I had to miss the luncheon but want to thank Camille Williams for taking over for me so I could be with my husband and his mother who was very ill in Ohio.

 

   

Thank you to Sherry Shinn and Clair Norman for planning a wonderful lunch and I understand the flowers were lovely. Austin Westjohn, one of the two overall Stella Boyle Smith Competition winners performed a trombone solo.  

 

The Life Members  
 

The ASOG recognized The Life Members of Guild who were present for their support and leadership. Debbie Bass presented the slate of officers for 2012-2013 and the committee chairs and committee members. Congratulations and thank you to those of you who agreed to serve in a leadership capacity. 

 

 

 

George and Ouida Keck, Elizabeth Plowman and Music Director Philip Mann


The Board of Directors for 2012-2013:  


President Camille Williams 

Immed. Past President Betty Herron

Secretary Brigita Gardner

Treasurer Betsy Hollingsworth

Asst. Treasurer Sandra Harrison

Ist VP Jane Phillips 2VP Susan Jones

3VP Helen Vanlandingham

4VP Peggy Jones

Fund Raising Chair Susan MarshBoard

Members at large Sherry Shinn Rich  

 

Where did the year go? I want to thank the ASOG Board of Directors for a fabulous job. They are: Camille Williams, Helen Vanlandingham, Dale Ronnel, Betsy Hollingsworth, Phyllis Barrier, Marcia Safirstein, Don Borchert, Jane McKinney, Rich Tripodi, Debbie Bass, Susan Marsh, and Mary Wildgen. We want to send best wishes to Marcia Safirstein who has moved to Connecticut. She was a true and hard working member of the ASOG. When the year began I talked about the 3 C's and I asked everyone to make a Commitment by joining the Guild, stay Connected by volunteering for a committee, and I promised that I would Communicate.

The Guild Notes, my way of communicating, were made possible because of a wonderful volunteer, Karen Silvoso and our photographer, Shari Edwards. I think photos tell an important story and as I look back I see lots of photos of YOU - making a commitment and being connected!!!! It has been my honor and pleasure to serve as your President for 2011-2012. I never cease to be amazed at what the Guild accomplishes every year because of people like you who care that we have a wonderful ASO and who provide music education to children who might never hear or be exposed to classical music.

 

I would like to share a story from Alice Pfeiffer, Orchestra and You Chair for 2011-2012. A first grader at Jefferson elementary School, Karson Bone, was very interested in the violin and even carried around a laminated picture of a violin. Orchestra and You was invited to Jefferson school for the first graders because of Karson's interest. He even told his reading tutor that he was going to be a violinist someday. On the day when Orchestra and You was coming, Karson wore his best shirt to school and was chosen to be the first violinist in the make believe orchestra. Karson was overjoyed to see Meredith Hicks, an ASO violinist, perform live for his classmates. Ms Meredith Brown, his teacher, said that the staff was on pins and needles to see his reaction to Ms. Hicks and the program. His enthusiasm for the instrument made them realize that his interest was genuine.

 

 

 Karson with his ASO violin from orchestra and you
 

Free violin lessons were arranged for him and the Art Porter Music Education, a non-profit organization, presented Karson with his very own violin. According to reports, Karson is doing very well in his violin lessons and seems to have more confidence in school.

This story illustrates the importance of our work in music education. By supporting and volunteering with the ASOG, you made a difference.

Have a wonderful summer and I look forward to seeing all of you in the fall.

 

Gratefully,

Betty Herron, President