News & Notes - May 2013

MEMBERSHIP

We Need You! Volunteer Now for LAO Conference
Where can you volunteer for the STL Symphony and attend a national conference at the same time? Are you available when the St. Louis Symphony hosts the League of American Orchestras’ (LAO) 68th Annual Conference June 17-20, 2013? The meeting will offer a variety of seminars and sessions to nearly 1,000 attendees aimed at strengthening orchestras across the country. The St. Louis Symphony and Youth Orchestra will have featured performances on Tuesday, June 18 that you will not want to miss.

The conference has not been held in St. Louis since the 1960s, so this is an incredible opportunity to spotlight the STL Symphony as well as the city of St. Louis. Approximately 40 more volunteers will be needed to help with the success of this important conference. Volunteers working at least one shift of four hours will have the possibility to attend one of the conference seminars and receive a free ticket to the June 18 evening concert.

You are welcome to sign up for one or more volunteer shifts. Contact Becky Brown to schedule your volunteer time for the following days and remaining shifts:

• Sunday, June 16: 1:00-4:00pm (Registration Bags Preparation;17 volunteers needed)
• Monday, June 17: 8:00am-12:30pm (Registration Desk; 2 volunteers needed)
• Monday, June 17: 12:15-6:00pm (Registration Desk; 4 volunteers needed)
• Tuesday, June 18: 7:00am-noon (Registration Desk; 3 volunteers needed)
• Tuesday, June 18: 7:30am-12:45pm (Orchestra Leadership Academy; 8 volunteers needed)
• Tuesday, June 18: 9:45am-3:00pm (Employment Opportunities Center; 1 volunteer needed)
• Tuesday, June 18: 11:45am-5:00pm (Registration Desk; 2 volunteers needed)
• Tuesday, June 18: 3:00-4:30pm (Directional Help; 2 volunteers needed)
• Wednesday, June 19: 7:45am-12:30pm (Registration Desk; 3 volunteers needed)
• Wednesday, June 19: 9:45am-2:00pm (Employment Opportunities Center; 1 volunteer needed)
• Wednesday, June 19: 12:15-5:00pm (Registration Desk; 2 volunteers needed)
• Thursday, June 20: 10:00-11:15am (Directional Help; 1 volunteer needed)

Volunteers will be assigned duties based upon availability and skills required for the various job descriptions. Click here for a better understanding of assignments. Volunteers are asked to provide their own transportation downtown to the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch and assume any parking expenses associated with volunteering. As soon as assignments have been made, additional information will be sent to you prior to your shift(s) in June.

Hello 2013-2014 SVA Board!
Following a lovely spring membership luncheon at the St. Louis Country Club on Friday, May 3, the following members were installed as the next SVA Board for 2013-2014:

Executive Committee
President – Sara Fabick
Vice President, Membership – Anne Carman
Vice President, Education and Community Programs – Gerry Frankenfeld
Vice President, Fundraising – Linda Stark
Secretary – Kathy Borges

Membership
Regular Membership Chair – Libby Weinman
Regular Membership Vice Chair – Dotti Fischer
New and Prospective Membership Chair – Margie Lazarus
New and Prospective Membership Vice Chair – Christy Adams
Communications Chair – Helen Hume
Communications Vice Chair – Peggy Neilson
One and Done Chair – Linda Seibert
One and Done Vice Chair – Jeff and Patty Kaplan

Education and Community Programs 
Express the Music Chair – Kathryn Snodgrass 
Express the Music Vice Chair – Susan Hoffman
Instrument Playground Chair – Marilyn Holmes 
Instrument Playground Vice Chair – Kitty Pearl 
Picture the Music Chair – Susan Pribble
Picture the Music Vice Chair – Judy Nedwek
Powell Hall Opportunities Chair – Marilyn Gordon
Powell Hall Opportunities Vice Chair – Margie Knapp

Fundraising
Gypsy Caravan Chair – Janice Seele
Gypsy Caravan Vice Chair – Dan Gogel
Parties of Note Chair – TBD
Parties of Note Vice Chair – TBD

Subscribe to Support the Symphony
SVA members show their support of the Symphony through countless hours of volunteer service supporting key education and fundraising projects that promote the Symphony’s mission. In addition to devoting personal volunteer time to the Symphony, please consider making a commitment to financially support the Symphony by buying season tickets for the 2013-2014 season.

Purchasing season tickets is even more appealing with such benefits including significant savings over single price ticket purchases, free exchanges made by phone in case your plans change, discounts on additional tickets purchased, invitations to exclusive events at Powell Hall, and more. When you are a season subscriber, you know you are playing your part to ensure the continued growth of the STL Symphony.

Volunteer Hours Climbing
The SVA has recorded 2,657 hours of volunteer service from 118 members through March. Be sure you are part of the 2012-2013 M-O-R-E Volunteer program! M-O-R-E Volunteers (contributing 50 or more volunteer hours) receive a bright red tag to add to their volunteer name badge as a special acknowledgement of service.

Many key SVA projects have concluded or will soon be winding down for the summer. Take a few minutes now to report your hours to the appropriate committee chair or vice chair.

Last Call: Who Needs a Directory?
Several SVA members have yet to pick up their 2012-2013 SVA Membership Directory. Please choose from one of these options to pick up your copy soon:

• Make an appointment with Amee to stop by the SVA office at Centene.
• Contact the committee chair of your choice to bring your directory to an upcoming committee meeting.
• Planning to attend a concert at Powell Hall? Contact Amee by Thursday of that week and your directory will be waiting for you at the Boutique on the weekend.

Each member may now access this informative resource online. Contact a member of the SVA Board or Amee Colvin for the password to access this file. The directory will be updated with new members and corrections each month so you will always have the latest contact information for each member. Please be sure to notify Amee of any changes to your listing.

BOARD NEWS

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 (FY13 result through March = 380 members with 31% participation)
• Increase fundraising profits to exceed $250,000 (FY13 result through February = $40,268)
• Increase direct contacts of education projects and tours to 25,500 community members (FY13 result through March = 20,413 direct contacts

 FUNDRAISING

A Memorial Day Tradition: Gypsy Caravan
Calling all gypsies! Sign up now to volunteer a few hours on Memorial Day weekend to support our largest SVA fundraiser. Contact Chair Janice Seele or Kathy Borges to learn about all the fun volunteer opportunities.

Now in its 41st consecutive year, Gypsy Caravan has raised over $3.4 million for the STL Symphony. This antique, flea, and craft market is a St. Louis Memorial Day tradition that will bring thousands of shoppers to the UMSL campus in search of all kinds of finds and bargains. Treasure the hunt! Besides great shopping, you’ll enjoy tempting food treats and kids of all ages will have a wonderful time. An expanded Children’s Corner will have crafts and the opportunity to make music with members of our Instrument Playground committee.

Dierbergs Markets is partnering with the SVA to sell discounted wristbands for entry to this year’s event ($8.50 vs. $10 general admission from 9:00am-5:00pm; $17.50 vs. $20 early bird admission from 7:00-9:00 am) Whether you are an early bird shopper or prefer to come later in the day, consider buying your ticket at Dierbergs. You’ll save money and avoid waiting in long lines to get into the event!

Pick a Party! Were You There?
Parties of Note kicked off its fifth year with Pick a Party! on Sunday, April 21 at Plaza Frontenac. Nearly 300 guests were the first to sign up for some of St. Louis’ most unique parties before they go on sale to the general public.

While buying parties and sampling delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks, the partygoers were entertained with music from Jazz St. Louis All Stars, Java Jived, and The St. Louis Sirens. One guest took advantage of a special opportunity and won two tickets to the highly anticipated party “An Inspirational Evening” featuring The Cornerstone Chorale and Brass.

Of the 31 parties offered for 2013-14, 12 parties completely sold out. Another dozen parties sold more than 50% of the available reservations; however, there are still several wonderful parties available for sale. Review the Parties of Note catalog and then contact the STL Symphony Box Office (314-534-1700 or stlsymphony.org/pon) after Wednesday, May 15 to make your reservations.

EDUCATION

Instrument Playground: Always in Gear
Children at North Side Community School had a special opportunity to learn about musical instruments recently. Coordinated by Correne Murphy, the IP team provided an uplifting and positive experience. According to Principal Stella Erondu, the IP visit was described as “a fantastic gift to our children.”

Come see the IP committee members in action on one last assignment. Before or after finishing your volunteer shifts at Gypsy Caravan on May 27, stop by the Children’s Corner from 10:00am-2:00pm to join the fun with IP members.

The next season for IP begins with an all-hands-on-stage training workshop and meeting in the Whitaker Room at Powell Hall on Friday, August 2 from 10:00am-1:00pm. The preliminary 2013-14 IP schedule will be revealed and new committee members are always welcomed. Contact Marilyn Holmes to get involved.

SVA OFFICE LOCATION & 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.

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.