How Can I Give?

Founded in 1925, the Symphony’s Volunteer Association’s (SVA) mission is to involve the community in education and outreach programs and special fundraising projects that benefit the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Membership in the SVA entitles you to special benefits throughout the year.  If you’re interested in becoming involved, please contact the office of the Symphony Volunteer Association at 314-286-4182 or volunteer@slso.org.

The following lists the functions of current SVA committees and provides an overview of opportunities available for every level of time and interest.

Communications

Correspondence
This committee helps maintain that personal touch so important to our organization. Marriages, births, condolences and other occasions are acknowledged with a card or phone call on behalf of the SVA.

Exhibits and Displays*/Bulletin Board*
Coordinates displays featuring photographs, instruments and text that promote the education and fundraising projects of the SVA.  Exhibits are rotated monthly in libraries throughout the St. Louis area.  The Bulletin Board at Powell Symphony Hall highlights current SVA projects.

Historian*
Archivists collect photographs and printed information about the SVA and preserve these materials for reference. Computer skills are helpful, but not essential.

KeyNotes
Edits and arranges articles for our in-house newsletter, KeyNotes, published two times a year.

Membership Directory
Compiles information and produces our membership roster and activity directory. Computer skills are needed and experience with arranging production with a commercial printer or other sources is helpful. 

Photography
Records moments in SVA history by photographing events, fundraisers and other SVA-related activities.

Playbill Articles
The Chair and Vice Chair of this committee write articles for the Symphony Volunteer Association's page in Playbill, the Symphony's concert program. Each issue features a different Volunteer Association project. Writing skills are a prerequisite, as is the ability to work with word limitations and due dates.

Website
This committee oversees the Symphony Volunteer Association link (http://www.symphonyvolunteer.org) on the SLSO website, and also works with the steering committee for Gypsy Caravan to update that web site.

Education and Outreach

Express the Music
Each year over 1,000 junior and senior high school students participate by expressing their creativity through writing while listening to a selected symphonic work. Volunteer projects include mailings, arranging for judges, planning an awards ceremony and reception, publicity and special event planning.

View the Winning Entries for the 11^th Annual Express the Music Competition

Instrument Playground – Music Resource Kits
This new committee handles a traveling “hands on” kit of musical instruments available on short term loan to area schools. The program is primarily targeted towards elementary and middle schools where SLSO members have recently demonstrated their instruments. This committee assists with assembling instrument kits, coordinates scheduling, and delivery and pick-up of the kits.

Instrument Playground - Brass Family
Instrument Playground - Percussion Family
Instrument Playground - Strings Family
Instrument Playground - Woodwind Family

Picture the Music
Picture the Music is a creative art competition reaching more than 21,000 children in kindergarten through sixth grade. While listening to a selected symphonic work, young children draw or paint what they feel. Volunteer projects include assisting with a large mailing, arranging for judges, overseeing the judging process, framing pictures, getting pictures to and from display locations, planning an awards ceremony and reception, publicity, cataloging and special event planning.

View the Winning Entries for the Picture the Music Competition

Powell Symphony Hall Tours*
Volunteers share their knowledge about Powell Symphony Hall after Education Concerts at Powell Symphony Hall. Public speaking and a love for, and patience with, children might make this a perfect opportunity for you.

Powell Symphony Hall Ushers
Volunteers usher at concerts during the SLSO season. Scheduling is coordinated through mailings by a chairperson and a Powell Symphony Hall contact.  All ushers are welcome to enjoy the concert.

Youth Orchestra
This committee assists with the auditions, rehearsals, and concerts and organizes receptions for the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Fundraising

Card and Games Party*
Have fun with this fundraiser, playing bridge or other favorite games. Committee will organize locations, sign-ups, and light refreshments for the games.

Gypsy Caravan
Now in its 35^th year, our longest running project is a Memorial Day tradition and one of the largest antique, craft and flea markets in the Midwest. Volunteers play key leadership roles in the coordination of vendor materials, volunteer staffing, site logistics and public relations.

Scherzo: Beat Beethoven Fun Run
This committee creates lighthearted social events. A creative mind to help suggest activities and assist with publicity is an asset. Volunteers plan small parties, social events and other special fundraising opportunities. Beat Beethoven is a Fun Run in Forest Park on September 29, 2007. Volunteers secure sponsors, handle publicity, encourage participation and handle logistics the day of the event.

Symphony Boutique
Volunteers help in two boutique locations at Powell Symphony Hall where music-related merchandise is displayed and sold. A friendly smile, the ability to keep accurate sales records, and the enjoyment of selling are important in this area.

Symphony Musicales
A series of Sunday evening salon-type recitals with Symphony and Youth Orchestra musicians performing in a private residence, followed by cocktails and a catered buffet dinner. Volunteers help locate homes for the events and make arrangements with a caterer.

General Board Services 

Bylaws
Meets periodically to review the SVA bylaws. Committee members write amendments, standing rules and job descriptions for the organization as needed.

Discovery
Creative thinkers, this is the place for you! Identifies and researches new activities intended to enhance our educational programs and be financially beneficial to the Symphony.

Membership

Addressing and Mailing*
This committee assists with mailings and provides clerical assistance as needed. Members are usually asked to help (if available) on short notice.

Arrangements and Programs
Helps arrange our three general membership meetings. Volunteer tasks include finding a location for the meeting, selecting the menu, arranging the program and assisting at the actual meetings with a variety of duties.

Legislative*
Keeps members informed regarding legislation that could impact the SLSO. The committee makes an annual trip in February to Jefferson City to meet with Missouri Legislators on Citizens’ Day at the Legislature.

Membership and Renewals
Enlisting new members, retaining existing members and making membership fun and rewarding are the goals of this committee. The committee does mailings to prospective members, makes follow-up calls, hosts New Member Events, as well as plans and implements special events. The Membership Committee hosts a special thank you event, Winter Heat, for all members in December.

Orchestra Coffees
Plans and arranges appreciation receptions during rehearsal breaks for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and staff, IN UNISON® Chorus, Saint Louis Symphony Chorus and the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. If you like to bake, this committee is for you!

Placement Committee
This committee helps ensure that members are involved in their areas of choice. Telephone contact plus “the personal touch” is important here.
* Primarily daytime activities