|
MISSION
To ensure the continued existence of major symphony orchestras in North America through volunteerism.
| |
|
SHARE THE NEWS
Please forward this email to your volunteer organization's officers and board members, so they can learn about AMSOV and benefit from its programs, services and networking.
|
|
| PRESIDENT
Sally Bullard
The Philadelphia Orchestra
VICE PRESIDENT AND
CONFERENCE CHAIR
Sheri Bradshaw Gill
Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates
Sheri.Gill@amsov.org
PAST PRESIDENT AND BYLAWS
Mike Minor
SECRETARY
TREASURER
JoDee Wright
Houston Symphony
Orchestra
MEMBERSHIP / DATABASE
Marena Gault
Dallas Symphony
Orchestra
MEMBERSHIP / DIRECTORY & OUTREACH
Sandra M. Leister
San Francisco Symphony
NEWSLETTER EDITOR Carmen Stull National Symphony Orchestra Newsletter@amsov.org
WEBSITE
Charles Jack
Boston
|
|
 |
|
|
message from amsov president
|
|
Dear AMSOV Members,
By now everyone's new orchestra season is in full swing and as volunteers we are in full swing, too. The holidays bring an incredible variety of opportunities for us to help our organizations celebrate. We at AMSOV are busy, too. The plans for the 2017 conference in Los Angeles are well underway. The conference dates have been announced as May 4 - 7, 2017 and it will be held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. The Biltmore is a beautiful, historic, grand hotel with a 90-year history. I know that you will enjoy this iconic LA landmark. Here is a link for more information: http://www.millenniumhotels.com/usa/millenniumbiltmorelosangeles/. AMSOV membership encourages and enhances volunteerism. We do this through our conference, where we can interact with other volunteers, share ideas and renew and enhance our volunteer enthusiasm. We have recently sent out dues letters which has caused some confusion and I would like to take a moment to review AMSOV's membership policies and clarify our categories.
- Principal Members: An orchestra's primary volunteer organization can join AMSOV as a "principal" member. Dues for the 2-year period leading up to the conference are $200. As a principal member, a volunteer organization can send 4 people to conference. Usually, it is the president and president-elect, but each organization is free to send representatives of their choosing. It is a wonderful learning opportunity for prospective volunteer leaders, as well as current leaders. If you are the president of your organization, you should have received a request for dues to be paid either by your orchestra, or your volunteer organization.
- Affiliate Members: Some orchestras have many committees and 4 attendees would not give all of their volunteer leaders a chance to come to conference. These committees can join as an "affiliate" member for $100 for the biennium. This allows the committee to send 2 people to the conference. That way, no matter who is sent by the principal organization, the affiliate committee can ensure that their leadership gets an opportunity to come to conference.
- Alumni Members: If you have attended a conference as a representative of your volunteer organization, you have the opportunity to join AMSOV as an alumni member. Alumni dues are $50 per biennium. These dues are usually paid by the individual and will allow you to attend the next conference, even if you have moved on from the presidency and are not sent as part of your organization's delegation.
If you would like more information, please check the website at amsov.org. You can find membership forms or pay your dues online. I hope you all have a very happy holiday season and I look forward to seeing you in LA.
-Sally Bullard, President
|
| Los Angeles to Host 2017 Biennial Conference, May 4 - 7 |
Plans are well underway for the 41st Biennial Conference to be held on May 4 - 7, 2017, in Los Angeles, California, under the leadership of Vice President and Conference Chair, Sheri Gill. Sheri has already finalized plans to use the legendary Millennium Biltmore Hotel, a grand, beaux arts-inspired historic landmark built in 1923, as the conference hotel. The hotel's Gold Room is the opulent setting for opening night's Red Carpet Dinner. The Emerald Room will be used for daily sessions, which will highlight Leadership Development.
Also finalized for the conference is the Jonathan Beach Club, built on the sands of Santa Monica Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean, for a cocktail reception and dinner. In addition, It will be exciting to attend a performance of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by Frank Gehry. Each principal organization is entitled to four delegates and each affiliate organization is entitled to two delegates. AMSOV Alumni with paid membership are welcome to attend. Guests are also welcome, and can pay individual pricing for selected events. Stay tuned for more exciting updates to come!
|
Sheri Gill Appointed 2017 Conference Chair
Sheri Gill, who is the immediate past Chair of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates, a 900- member support group of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was appointed Chair and Vice President of the 2017 AMSOV Conference.
Sheri completed her term on June 30, 2015 as Affiliate Chair and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. From that busy post, she moves into her new role with AMSOV. She is no stranger to juggling many tasks as a volunteer and in her professional career. Sheri has served on the Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates' Presidents and Coordinators Board for several years and as president of several organizations: Peninsula Committee for Los Angeles Philharmonic; Encore, a committee of LA Phil Past Presidents; Las Simpaticas (of National Charity League); and Rolling Hills Women's Club.
Sheri's first career was as a teacher, and she earned a Master's Degree and a Life Credential for teaching. She later became a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and worked as a financial consultant for Financial Network Investment Corporation.
Nine AMSOV Conferences from 1993 - 2015 are part of Sheri's AMSOV experience bank. She also attended the League of American Orchestras 2013 Conference, to present the LA Phil Affiliates Fundraising Project that received their Gold Book Award. She looks forward to chairing the 2017 AMSOV Conference, which will be held in Los Angeles, California.
|
 We are pleased to announce that Carmen Stull will be joining the AMSOV Board of Directors to serve as Newsletter Chair for the 2015-2017 Biennium.
If you have any comments or suggestions for the newsletter, please send them to Carmen at Newsletter@amsov.org.
Thank you for all you do to support your local orchestras.
|
|
|
|
AMSOV Board Holds Board Meetings in Washington, DC
|
The AMSOV Board held its first board meetings in Washington, DC on November 13-15. The Women's Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra led by its President, Lois Ancona, welcomed the group at a dinner held at the home of Clara and Ted Register.
The meetings that followed were hosted by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Rita Shapiro, NSO Executive Director, spoke to the board and shared some valuable insights into the NSO.
 L to R: Mike Minor, Sheri Gill, Carmen Stull, Marena Gault, Marge Penhallegon, Jody Wright, Sally Bullard, Sandra Leister, and Charlie Jack
The board worked on updating the AMSOV database and directory, website, and newsletter in preparation for the upcoming Biennial Conference in 2017. Before the board left D.C., they were treated to a concert of the NSO at the Kennedy Center.
|
|
Save the Date - League of American Orchestras National Conference
|
League of American Orchestras National Conference
June 8-11, 2016 | Baltimore, MD
Conference Hotel: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel
Come to Baltimore next June to attend the League of American Orchestra's annual Conference. Plan to attend the Conference Volunteer Track to Listen, Learn and Network with volunteers from the US and Canada. Listen to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra perform and meet many of the Baltimore Symphony Associates who support their orchestra with education and fundraising activities.
Volunteers - Listen, Learn, Network
The Conference Volunteer Track offers opportunities listen, learn and network with volunteer's representing orchestras of all sizes (Group 1 - 8). Volunteer projects selected for Awards of Excellence in fundraising, membership, music education, service, community engagement, and more during 2014 - 2015 will be presented by volunteers who led the projects. Attend elective sessions and learn from orchestra leaders who will discuss current orchestra challenges and successes. Networking opportunities are provided during the volunteer sessions, receptions and dinners throughout the week.
Sharing innovative ideas, making friendships from around the country and learning about volunteer projects - all for the love of music - is offered once a year by the League of American Orchestras. This year, come to Baltimore and be prepared to be surprised by an historic city with a world class orchestra that promises to host a memorable conference in 2016. The Conference will be held at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel with online registration and hotel reservations available early 2016 at http://www.americanorchestras.org/conferences-meetings.
About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is internationally recognized as having achieved a preeminent place among the world's most important orchestras. Acclaimed for its enduring pursuit of artistic excellence, the BSO has attracted a devoted national and international following while maintaining deep bonds throughout Maryland through innovative education and community outreach initiatives.
The BSO made musical history in September 2007, when Maestro Marin Alsop led her inaugural concerts as the Orchestra's 12th music director, making her the first woman to head a major American orchestra.
The League Conference and the AMSOV conference
You will find the League conference to be a very different experience than the AMSOV conference. They both provide unique opportunities for learning and sharing. The AMSOV conference is focused solely on volunteerism and is done by and for volunteers alone. The League conference highlights volunteers as part of a larger, industry conference and you might enjoy getting a perspective on the orchestra world from some of the speakers who are not part of the volunteer track. Since there is no AMSOV conference in 2016, I wanted you to be aware that the opportunity for volunteer education and leadership training is alive and well. Check it out in Baltimore and see you in LA in 2017.
|
|
AMSOV 2015 Conference - Philadelphia, PA
March 5 - 8, 2015
Conference Summary
|
|
For those of you who couldn't attend the AMSOV Conference held in Philadelphia for one reason or another, I would like to give you a short recap of what you missed.
Best Practices:
One speaker, Sue Pine, VP at Association Headquarters, spoke about ways that we can energize, recruit and reward volunteers. While this is a topic that comes up frequently at conferences, it is a good refresher for those of us who have been to an AMSOV Conference before, and an important topic for first-time attendees. Each speaker approaches it differently and hopefully, Sue provided ideas whether to first-time attendees, or some of us old-timers. Mollie Elkman, President of Group Two Advertising, made a presentation on how to attract and reach Millenials. Again, this is a topic we discuss often - how to attract younger volunteers.
Getting to Know Us:
With some trepidation, I changed the format of our Getting to Know You sessions. They were previously two-minute presentations made by each volunteer president, with no follow-up. We changed to breakout sessions where we had open discussion on the topics of Fundraising, Membership and Education. We certainly had lively discussions and I know that, at least in my groups, there were lots of notes taken and ideas shared. I believe that this was the heart of the Conference. The idea of AMSOV is to provide just this type of interaction and making it the focal point of the Conference, I believe was something that worked well. As I have already mentioned, the whole idea of AMSOV is to share ideas and concerns and I know that Los Angeles volunteers will be anxious to hear from you if you have any issues in particular that you would like to have discussed at the 2017 AMSOV Conference.
We had other speakers on more fun topics like the history of music in Philadelphia, and of course, a fantastic state of the arts panel with Howard Herring, Chief Executive Officer of the New World Symphony in Miami, Allison Vulgamore, Chief Executive Officer of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and Helen Eaton, Chief Executive Officer of Settlement Music School talking about new concert formats and attracting new audiences.
We also got to see some of the city with a special dinner at a Main Line country estate and lunch and dinner at two private clubs. I can't wait to see what special places we get to see in LA.
Sally Bullard
2015 Conference Chair
|
Here is what is happening with some of our member orchestras. Watch this column in this and future E-Newsletters for ideas and to celebrate the successes of other volunteer groups. If you have an update for a future E-Newsletter, be sure to send it to newsletter@amsov.org.
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
This year's highlights include the annual Luncheon/Style Show featuring Day Furs on November 10, the Yuletide Celebration Luncheon on December 2, with entertainment by members of the Yuletide cast. Our membership event will be held in February is "Meet Jack," where ISO Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly and CEO Gary Ginstling will talk and answer questions from the audience. The Annual Meeting will be on June 4 and our gala event, LUEY!, will be on August 7.
With our new Volunteer Hours Reporting Program, we recorded almost 12,000 volunteer hours during the last fiscal year (September 2-August 31, 2014-15). We knew we were vastly under reporting our hours, but were amazed by how much!
Our Membership Committee produced a new ISOA Brochure which got rave reviews at League of American Orchestras in May, and even prompted another group to ask for help in implementing a brochure of their own.
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association Volunteers of the Year
ISOA Volunteers of the Year: Gerry Ginstling, ISO CEO; Betty Sisco, South Group; Sarah Stoel, Executive Board; Marty Davis, West Group; Esther Weaver, East Group; Judy Ward, Wabash; Marilyn Goeke, North Group; Dara Amlung, Honorary Volunteer; Sherry Amlung, ISOA President.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Introduces
40 Debutantes at the 29th Annual Presentation Ball
by Deborah Brown
|
| | Event Co-Chairs Cynthia Beaird and Sharon Popham with DSOL President Dixie Marshall, Co-Chair Marena Gault, Presentation Ball Chair Venise Stuart, and Co-Chair Sharon Ballew |
|
| | Honorary Chairs Brice and Cynthia Beaird |
Gowns and curtsies were all the rage as 40 Symphony Debutantes took their bows at the 29th Annual Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Presentation Ball on February 7 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The spotlight was on the debs, their families and dapper members of the Honor Guard.
Venise Stuart served as Ball Chair and Dixie Marshall is President of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League. The Honorary Chairs were Cynthia and Brice Beaird.
The 2015 Debutantes were introduced to an audience consisting of families of the Debs which included parents, grandparents, members of the Presentation Ball Honor Guard and the Dallas Symphony Assembly, which includes past Debs.
This year, there were three generations of involvement: Sharon McCullough is a co-founder of the Presentation Ball. Her daughter Debbie Hayhurst is a former debutante and now granddaughter Gracie made her debut.
|
| | Bart, Camille, and Jolie Humphrey |
|
| | Debutante family Buddy, Olivia, Melissa and Amelia Lewis |
The Debutante season started with an announcement party in May and ended with the Ball on Feb 7. It is a whirlwind season of numerous parties and events and rehearsals for the famous Texas Dip.
The Presentation Ball, which was first held in 1987, is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. More than $10 million has been raised for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through the annual event.
Founded in 1946, the mission of the DSOL is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising activities. Since 1998 the League has contributed more than $13 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association's Community Outreach and Education programs, which help bring the wonder of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to thousands of youths and adults in the Dallas Metroplex.
Photos by Deborah Brown
|
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association
by Pam Hicks
Symphony in Color
The Art of Music
Through the Eyes and Ears of Children
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Association is proud to support and share one of our five music education programs with AMSOV members. Symphony in Color is a statewide art contest for students in grades one through six. Children listen to classical music and use their imagination to create wondrous, original pieces of artwork. Now in its sixty-third year of success, our volunteer members look forward to opening to boxes and viewing the artwork of Indiana's innovative and talented children.
In 1951, an art contest named The Committee's Choice Award was started as a means of introducing classical music to young students. It was later named the Pacini Award in honor of Renato Pacini (1910-1989), a beloved member of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for 50 years, who served as the Associate and Assistant Conductor, Assistant Concertmaster, and as a member of the first violin section. "Patch," a strong supporter of educating young minds, was instrumental in presenting the early seasons of the Lollipop Concerts, now called the Discovery Concerts.
Each year, our qualified judges choose 100 awards for the best artwork. The first level, chosen from the total artworks entered, goes to the 100 finalists. Each receives a Certificate of Merit that is later distributed by the art teachers. From the 100 Finalists, 36 Gold Ribbon winners are then chosen. The coveted Pacini Award is selected from the 36 Gold Ribbon winners. Occasionally, artwork that has not been accepted by the judges, will appeal to our volunteers, who are then allowed to choose 10 Honorable Mention awards. An opportunity for the public to vote for their favorite artwork from the 36 Gold Ribbon winners is held at the Premiere Party fundraiser.
An Awards Tea is held at the Hilbert Circle Theatre for the 36 Gold Ribbon winners, who in turn, receive a Certificate of Excellence and other appropriate awards. All students entered are presented a Certificate of Participation, as they have already competed in their classrooms and emerged as one of their school's six entries allowed in the contest. A Maestro Award is also given to the teacher with the most Gold Ribbon winners. That teacher receives a special certificate and money to pay for art supplies.
Following the Awards Ceremony, the 36 Gold Ribbon winner's artwork is hung on the oval promenade at the Hilbert Circle Theatre for several weeks. The artwork is then moved to the Indiana State Museum to be enjoyed by visitors.
Symphony in Color is a winner in and of itself as it encourages young people to appreciate symphonic music and creative interpretation of music through the visual arts. It provides an opportunity for an interdisciplinary study involving the performing arts and increases awareness of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and its role as a cultural leader in Indiana.
|
|
Kansas City Symphony
by Laurie Burgess
When you attend an AMSOV Conference, you are introduced to outstanding speakers and musicians. Attendees at the 2013 AMSOV Conference in Kansas City will remember the incredible Education Day performance on stage by students of Park University's International Center for Music in the Graham-Tyler Memorial Chapel. One of the musicians, violinist David Radzynski was appointed Concertmaster of The Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. Zubin Mehta is the Conductor.
David, a resident of Columbus, Ohio, is a graduate student pursuing an artist's diploma in violin performance at Park University's International Center for Music. For the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, thirty violinists were invited to compete for the Concertmaster position through a pre-screening process by the orchestra in Tel Aviv, Israel. One of four finalists, David earned the appointment after performing Brahms' "Violin Concerto" alongside IPO and Maestro Zubin Mehta. After only a five minute deliberation, the jury's decision was unanimous in favor of David. He began work as the new Concertmaster with the Israeli Philharmonic in March, 2015.
|
Have a link you would like for us to consider for the next E-Newsletter? Send it to newsletter@amsov.org.
The Philadelphia Orchestra at Carnegie Hall 360 Degrees! Use your cursor to create your own special view!
The Kansas City Symphony - New York Philharmonic World Series Challenge:
Los Angeles Philharmonic YouTube Channel!
|
|
|
|
