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News & Notes - January 2015

From the SVA President

Let the New Year begin. The SVA committees and teams are in full swing preparing for many, many upcoming events and projects. One and Done just finished serving as Santa’s Helpers and stuffing New Year’s Eve surprise bags. They will be standing by to help fill in gaps in various committees as the serious SVA work really begins. PTM, ETM, IP, BA PHO, CC, Boutique – oh my!

How can you help the SVA to shine? Click on the live contacts in the committee news below and let the Chairs and Team Leaders know that you are available to help. Most volunteer work is finished in two to three hours, and there is such a rewarding feeling when you know you have been a part in supporting the STL Symphony. Believe you me, the musicians and staff appreciate your efforts.

Regards,
Sara Fabick
President
St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association
p: 314-822-1183


Membership

SVA Associate Director Laura Dwyer will be updating the SVA Membership records in the upcoming week.  Regular and New and Prospective Chairs will be working on improving methods of notifying members when their SVA Friends renewals are due.

Be sure to mark your calendars to attend the SVA General Meeting and Brunch on Saturday, March 7 at Meadowbrook Country Club.  John Easley, acting SVA Co-President and VP of Development will speak and bring you up to date about STL Symphony happenings.  There will be other surprises, too. Don’t miss this fun, mid-day event.

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.  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

Picture the Music

PTM Chair Janice Seele is busily updating  the contact list for PTM participants and preparing the printed materials that will be sent to teachers, administrators, and parents for PTM 2015.  It will be time for the PTM specialists such as judges, ribbon makers, certificate makers, arrangement planners, and a whole lot more to kick into full action very soon.  This committee has many veteran members that know exactly what to do, but there is always room for more.  Contact Janice Seele seelestl@aol.com if you want to join this well run committee.

Instrument Playground

There are several upcoming events for Instrument Playground including school visits, Family Concerts and Tiny Tunes Concerts.  Contact Jeff Kaplan jakappy@gmail.com if you are interest in joining this enthusiastic committee.

Bus Ambassadors

Words from Marilyn Gordon, acting Bus Ambassador Team Leader:

Changes in the Bus Ambassadors procedures:

  1. A  lead volunteer will be scheduled for each performance. They will assign you to your work position along Delmar.
  2. You will be provided with an orange mesh safety vest so it will be clear that you are a volunteer. If you have an SVA badge, please put it on the vest.
  3. You will be notified of your work date at least twice in the days leading up to the concert.
  4. Please arrive around 8:30 am because the buses start arriving soon before 9:00 and we need time to get organized. 

The final four educational concerts are:

  • Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, and Wednesday, February 4, 2015
  • Tuesday, February 24, 2015
  • Thursday, May 14, 2015

If you know that you will be available to work any of these concerts, please contact Marilyn G mmgstlmo@aol.com We will be sending out more requests until we fill these slots.

Fundraising

Parties of Note
Tickets remain for two upcoming Parties of Note

Don’t miss the opportunity to see and hear great programs and enjoying seeing and being seen by all.

#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

The more you know the more you know!  Last year’s Gypsy Caravan was a great fundraising success for the SVA to support the STL Symphony.  The fabulous advertisement led to a booming business last Memorial Day and rather overwhelmed the parking lots and major routes s into and away from the Family Arena in St. Charles. Moving this large event to a new venue is always a challenge, too.  A tent city is actually built in about two days time.

Interested SVA members and symphony goers often ask, “What is happening with Gypsy?” Chairs Jane and Kent McNeil have been actively involved in meetings, planning, changes, and additions since last June. No greater amount of preplanning could be happening at this time than that which is being done. Kudos to Jane, Kent, and the entire Gypsy Steering Committee for their enthusiasm and attention to detail as the preparations gets underway for Gypsy, 2015!

 


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

Upcoming Events

Bus Ambassador Training & Social Cancelled

Gypsy Steering Committee
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015
Home of Jane and Kent McNeil
4:30 – 6:00pm

SVA Executive Committee
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015
10:30am – 12:00pm
Centene Center for Arts and Education

SVA General Membership Meeting & Brunch
Sat, March 7, 2015
Time TBD
Meadowbrook Country Club


1617

total volunteer hours
contributed during the 2014/15 season (as of 10/31/14)