News & Notes - December 2013
From the SVA President
As we move into the holiday season of our calendar year I am filled with pride as I attend concerts at Powell Hall and read and listen to the latest, glowing reviews of the STL Symphony in every form of media. Seeing the Peter Grimes performance was definitely a life experience.
The SVA celebrates our world-class Music Director David Robertson and our remarkable symphony orchestra and chorus. We welcome our new resident conductor, Steven Jarvi, and his wife Joanne, and congratulate them on the birth of their new son Noah William.
How can SVA members join in the celebration?
Purchase a ticket for one of the fabulous holiday performances at Powell Hall. You will be in the most beautiful performance venue in St. Louis. You will hear glorious music of every holiday genre. You will see and be seen by your SVA Friends and Family.
Season’s Greetings to all!
Sara Fabick
President
St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association
p: 314-822-1183
MEMBERSHIP
Don’t miss out on attending Winter Heat at Powell Hall on Friday, January 3. Amee Colvin, who is making arrangements for the event, says, “It’s a party!” It’s a time to have delicious refreshments and mingle with your friends in a very beautiful setting in the foyer of Powell Hall. Please come!
Here’s how to get your printed 2013-2014 Membership Directory:
- Pick up your copy at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters on Thursday, December 12, 10:00am-noon
- Contact Amee Colvin and ask to have your copy left at the Boutique to be picked up at concert, or arrange to pick up a directory at the Centene Center
- Ask a friend who goes to the office frequently to pick up a copy for you
- Pick up your directory at Winter Heat
Approximately 230 directories have yet to be picked up. Printed directories could be on the endangered list if members do not make an effort to get their directories.
Click here to access the online version of the directory and you will be asked for a password. If you do not know the password, call any Board Member for the information or Amee Colvin. Once you get used to the online directory, you will use it frequently!
The SVA and STL Symphony have so many helpful and attractive forms of communications including News and Notes, KeyNotes, Playbill, In the News, Facebook, and Twitter. As the SVA tiptoes into the 21st century, we are trying to make more use of the variety of ways to communicate. No matter what type of media we are using, however, photographs and videos are essential. Please contact Team Leader Margaret Lahrmann to schedule a photographer to attend your major meetings and events and help the SVA create documentation of our volunteer efforts. The photographers will make the photos available for publications.
The Membership arm of the SVA is the process of restructuring and adding responsibilities to this important area serving 400 SVA volunteers. To get involved, contact Anne Carman.
SVA BOARD
The SVA Executive Committee meets monthly and is composed of the SVA President, Director of Volunteers, Secretary, and the VPs of Membership, Education, and Fundraising.The most interesting part of the meetings is getting to see the big picture of the operations of the SVA and also creating new opportunities to make a difference in support of our beloved STL Symphony.
Amee Colvin reports on the SVA budget, and frequently reminds us that we have a transparent budget. All SVA Members are allowed to see the budget at any time. Seeing the line items in the budget for revenues and expenses helps keep the Executive Committee on track on how to guide their respective committees to spend our funds wisely. We also celebrate budget successes. SVA members can request a copy of the budget from Amee Colvin at any time.
Have you visited the SVA office space in the Centene Center for Arts and Education? This unique building is entirely dedicated to nonprofit arts institutions, and you can often see jazz musicians, dancers, young artists, choral groups, and SVA friends on the stairways and in the halls.
The Centene Center is a secure building, so a security code is needed to enter the main front door. Director Amee Colvin can now give volunteers a one-day event code for larger meetings and events, so volunteers will no longer be waiting on the lower level to gain admission.
Amee also makes reservations for parking for larger SVA committee meetings and special events in the Saint Louis University lot east of the Centene Center. For smaller work groups, we use the meters on the street. Finding a place in front of the building or directly across the street is usually not a problem.
The SVA office is comfortable and inviting with good access to office machines, computers, symphony literature, water, soda, and ice. For a great Grand Center experience, plan to visit the Centene Center for Arts and Education soon!
EDUCATION
Postcards have been mailed inviting teachers to partake in Express the Music and Picture the Music.
The STL Symphony website has complete instructions on how to retrieve the music for this year’s programs featuring BARTÓK’s Concerto for Orchestra, Movement IV “Intermezzo interrotto”.
Check out the teachers’ instructions on the Express and Picture the Music webpages to learn more.
Jessica Ingraham, Youth Orchestra Manager, made arrangements for the SVA to present their educational programs at the Des Lee Institute in November. Education VP Gerry Frankenfeld described Express the Music, Picture the Music, and Instrument Playground in a PowerPoint presentation prepared by him, Dennis Brommelhorst, and Sara Fabick. Margaret Lahrmann’s PTM slides were effectively used in the presentation. As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words!” Dennis Brommelhorst has been helping move the SVA into the 21st century by assisting with the production of PowerPoint presentations.
Powell Hall Opportunities—what a busy group! Bus Hosts, Coffee Concert Volunteers, Tour Guides, Boutique Volunteers are in full swing and meeting every obligation at this busy time of the year. These volunteers are so often the face of the SVA as they greet symphony patrons, help the Powell Hall staff here and there, serve coffee and donuts, show off the beauty of Powell Hall and answer important questions such as, “Does a ghost really live in Powell Hall? Thank you to all SVA members who help with PHO.
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 Amee Colvin, Director of Volunteer Activities.
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.
