News & Notes - December 2014
From the SVA President
We are so fortunate! As we prepare for the various holidays in December, we can be thankful for our world ranking STL Symphony as they offer one fantastic concert after another. Frequently I hear patrons and volunteers remarking, “Now that was a Grand concert!” or words to that effect. My good friend and fellow volunteer Sharon Ryan was actually breathless when she left me a phone message because she was so excited about attending the Night on Bald Mountain concert.
There is something for everyone at Powell Hall. Go to the STLsymphony.org website to see what the coming months hold for all of us. The very best way to support the symphony is to make attending concerts a top priority.
Isn’t it Grand to know that the SVA can take credit for helping to support our world renowned orchestra – a Grand St. Louis treasure!
Mark your calendars for
Winter Heat
Wednesday, Jan 7
5:30 – 7:30pm
Powell Hall Foyer
This thank you party for the SVA is definitely an event not to be missed.
Regards,
Sara Fabick
President
St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association
p: 314-822-1183
New Associate Director of Volunteer Programs
I am so pleased to announce we have a new Associate Director of Volunteer Programs. I am excited to introduce Laura Dwyer. Laura brings more than 20 years of experience in administration, teaching, development and volunteer management for various music institutions including First Coast Community School, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Jacksonville Conservatory of Music and the First Conservatory in Chicago. Throughout her career, she has provided leadership and worked extensively with volunteers on educational programs, fundraising and events. In addition, she is an accomplished flutist, having played with several orchestras around the country, most recently with the Santa Fe Symphony. Laura has a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music in Flute Performance from DePaul University.
I have visited with Laura and she is very enthusiastic about working with our Symphony Volunteer Association. I know that you all will enjoy working with Laura and will appreciate the strong experience and leadership she will bring to the SVA.
In addition, you may have seen Laura around Powell this season, as her husband, Chris Dwyer is our new second horn player!
Laura will begin in her role on Monday, December 15th. Our executive team will work to get her acclimated and may be reaching out to the Board and/or committee chairs for help. Please join me in welcoming Laura to the Symphony team!
SVA Board and Team Leader News
Travis Estes, Web and Social Media Manager of the STL Symphony, will be the speaker at the SVA Board and Team Leader Meeting on Thursday, Jan 9. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to navigate the Symphony’s website, have important updated information at your fingertips, and learn some tricks for transferring important information to committee notices and articles, programs, or brochures you may be preparing. Travis is also a Twitter aficionado, and will explain how the Symphony is using social media more and more.
Membership
Regular Membership is busily preparing for the SVA General Meeting Brunch on March 7, 2015.
A New and Prospective Steering Committee has scheduled meetings to make sure all procedures are in place to welcome new members and assure that current members have updated their Friends donation Symphony to renew their SVA membership. No organization can survive without the continuous building, nurturing, and support of volunteers. The SVA needs each and every one of you.
The Printed SVA Directory and the On-Line Directory and are two of the greatest tools we have to offer SVA members because we can contact members so easily. The days will be numbered on producing a printed directory if these books are not picked up. Do you have your latest directory?
If you did not receive your 2014-2015 Membership Directory at the Fall Membership Meeting, you can stop by the Powell Hall Boutique (open one hour before concerts and at intermission).
As of September 1, 2014, the minimum Friends of the Symphony contribution to apply for SVA membership is $75. Is your membership up to date?
Education
Instrument Playground made a big hit with first, second, and fourth graders at St. Mary Magdalen School last month. Various SVA volunteers have worked on producing a PowerPoint presentation to introduce the families of instruments of the orchestra in Symphony in Your Schools classrooms. Jeff Kaplan, Chair of IP, requested that Youth Orchestra musicians play a brief passage of music to demonstrate the sounds the instruments make. The YO members accepted the request and the clarinet, violin, cymbals, snare drum, and trumpet inserts are absolutely amazing. Better yet musicians are performing in the magnificent foyer of Powell Hall.
Needless to say, the students, teacher, parents, and volunteers at St. Mary’s were a rapt audience for the presentation. Following the introduction, the children tried their hand at playing instruments in the four families with the assistance of the SVA volunteers.
Fundraising
Parties of Note
Tickets remain for three upcoming Parties of Note
#24 As Easy as Pie
#25 It’s Politics Tonight!
#26 Secrets of the Chorus
Go to the website www.stlsymphony.org/volunteer and get your tickets today for a fun evening to see and be seen! What’s not to like?
Gypsy Caravan
You would think that Jane and Kent McNeil had been veteran gypsies of the SVA forever as this tag team of chairs for Gypsy Caravan make hard work look like fun. They are recruiting new members to their already strong steering committee and planning for increased parking and improved traffic flow. They are exploring every avenue to see that Gypsy repeats the success of Gypsy 43 and then some.
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
