News & Notes - October 2012
MEMBERSHIP
Your Contributions are Valued!
The STL Symphony's fiscal year ended on August 31 and there are many wonderful accomplishments to report. A brief written summary of the Symphony's FY12 results as well as an overview of the many successes achieved by the SVA to support the STL Symphony will soon be available to all members.
In a memo to the Board of Trustees, Overseers, Orchestra, and Staff about FY12 results, President & CEO Fred Bronstein reported that "...SVA activities raised $326,000 exceeding a goal of $270,000 and up 18.5% over FY11."
SVA results are certainly acknowledged and appreciated. Congratulations to each of you for the dedication of your volunteer hours to achieve such amazing results!
A Stunning Result
SVA members answered the call for renewed volunteerism this past year. With a new reporting system in place, our preliminary tally shows that members have contributed over 10,000 hours of service to support the STL Symphony from September 1, 2011–August 31, 2012! A final report will be announced to members at the Fall Membership meeting and will also be reported in next month’s News & Notes.
A volunteer recognition program will be launched at the Fall Membership Meeting to acknowledge the extraordinary accomplishments of many members. Be sure to record your volunteer hours so you can be part of this program for the 2012-2013 season. Report your hours when convenient to the appropriate committee chair or vice chair.
Committee Sign Ups Ongoing
More than 100 SVA members have already submitted their committee sign up forms. Are you included? We request that each SVA member completes a sign up form. Even if you plan to work on the same project(s) as in previous years, we kindly ask that you take a few minutes to confirm your participation.
Mark Your Calendar
The STL Symphony is pleased to host the League of American Orchestras’ (LAO) 68th Annual Conference June 17-20, 2013. The meeting will offer a variety of seminars and sessions aimed at strengthening orchestras across the country. More than 800 delegates are expected and the SVA will play an integral role. We will need nearly 100 volunteers to help with the success of this important conference, so watch for more information later in the year.
In advance of the Conference, our SVA Office at Centene Center will serve as the host site for a meeting of the LAO Volunteer Council the weekend of October 19. This group of 20+ volunteers from across the country will use our office for their planning meetings, attend a concert of the STL Symphony and receive a tour of Powell Hall courtesy of the Powell Hall Opportunities Committee Tours group.
SVA Membership Directory Updates
Please download an updated addendum for your 2011-2012 SVA Membership Directory.
SVA BOARD NEWS
2012-2013 SVA Board Meeting Schedule
Meetings will be held at noon at the Centene Center on the following dates:
- Thursday, November 8, 2012
- Thursday, March 14, 2013
- Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Please be sure to contact your committee chairs with any topics you would like added to a board meeting agenda.
Board Member Addition
We are pleased to welcome Phyllis Traub (Chair, Express the Music) to the SVA Board this season.
We’re on a Mission!
The mission of the STL Symphony is to enrich people’s lives through the power of music. The SVA will support this mission by focusing on three key goals through 2013:
- Increase SVA membership to 500 with 50% participation rate (current tally is 368 members with 50% participation)
- Increase SVA fundraising profits to exceed $250,000 (current tally is > $223,000)
- Increase direct contacts of SVA education projects and tours to 25,500 community members (current tally is > 25,662 direct contacts)
FUNDRAISING
St. Louis’ Best Kept Secret!
Is your October calendar in need of a dose of exceptional chamber music? Join us Sunday, October 28 for a performance by Scott Andrews, clarinet; Melissa Brooks, cello; and Nina Ferrigno, piano; in a historic 100-year-old Compton Heights home. Remaining reservations for this party and others are available online and through the Powell Hall Box Office (314-534-1700).
The Parties of Note Committee has begun planning the next cycle of parties for the 2013-2014 season. To join this group or share your ideas for a party, please contact Linda Lee or Anne von der Heydt.
Join the Gypsies
The SVA’s biggest fundraiser, Gypsy Caravan, continues to roll along. Planning for the 2013 event is getting started and we need many volunteers to make it a success.
The big call for volunteers to work on Memorial Day won’t come until spring; however, help is needed now for many special tasks. Contact Chair Janice Seele today to learn about all kinds of volunteer opportunities to be part of the 41st Annual Gypsy Caravan.
EDUCATION
The Cat in the Hat Comes Back!
The University City Library was the setting for an exciting visitor in September…the Cat in the Hat! Instrument Playground (IP) committee members helped staff a wonderful event featuring STL Symphony musicians David DeRiso, double bass; and Jessica Cheng, violin; presented by Dacy Gillespie, Education Program Manager. Following a performance and discussion, parents and children sampled the IP instrument groups and enjoyed a reading of Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham. As an added bonus, Thomas Jӧstlein (horn) was also on hand to help the children try out the trumpet.
Join the fun! Contact Chair Marilyn Holmes to become part of the IP team.
Tour of Duty
Did you know that Powell Hall was once a wonderful movie theater? These and other fun facts are some of the interesting knowledge the Powell Hall Opportunities Tours members share with school children and various adult patrons visiting the home of the STL Symphony.
With an updated guide book, training, and practice, SVA volunteers routinely introduce visiting groups to an insider’s look at Powell Hall. Join the team today by contacting Tours Project Leader Alan Fiddleman.
SVA OFFICE
SVA Office Location and Directions
Centene Center for Arts and Education
3547 Olive St., Suite 370
St. Louis, MO 63103
Office Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
SVA committee meetings can be scheduled at the SVA office with Director of Volunteer Activities, Amee Colvin. For these pre-arranged committee meetings, parking is available in the SLU lot just east of the Centene Center. Please obtain a parking sign from your committee chair prior to the meeting and place it on your car’s dashboard. This will indicate that you are with the SVA and you will not be charged. All of the parking spots have numbers, but none of the spaces are reserved.
A member of your SVA committee should be available in the Centene Center lobby to let you into the building. If you arrive late and no one is there, use the call box at the street entrance. Scroll down to “Symphony Volunteer Association,” hit the call button, and Amee will respond. You may also call the office directly at 314-289-4168 for building entrance.
