News & Notes - July 2016
From the SVA President
This has been a wonderful year for the St. Louis Symphony and a whirlwind of a first year for Marie-Hélène Bernard, who has brought not only a great vision and energy to the organization, but who has also received accolades from many publications for her impact on the St. Louis arts community. If you remember, last year, St. Louis Magazine’s A-List awarded the STL Symphony both an Editor’s Choice Award (Music Accolade) for the STL Symphony’s Grammy Award for City Noir and a Reader’s Choice Award as the Favorite Longtime Arts Organization. This June, Marie-Hélène was named St. Louis Magazine’s A-List Editor's Choice 2016: Arts Leader and the St. Louis Business Journal selected Marie-Hélène as one of the 25 Most Influential Business Women of 2016. This organization makes a huge difference in the St. Louis region!
While the subscription season ended in May with a fabulous finale featuring Holst’s The Planets, the orchestra maintained a full June, performing for both the Live at Powell performances and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. July and August bring with them a little respite, and an opportunity for some needed maintenance at Powell Hall.
September heralds in the 2016/2017 season with great fanfare, beginning with a Live at Powell Hall performance of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™—In Concert, September 9-11, the much-loved Forest Park Concert on Wednesday, September 14, and Opening Weekend festivities. I hope you will make plans to join us for A Symphony Prelude the evening of Thursday, September 15, at The Ritz-Carlton to mingle with musicians, enjoy cocktails, a seated dinner and highlights of the 137th Season with Music Director David Robertson and Marie-Hélène Bernard ($150/person). Invitations will be mailed soon.
The Symphony Volunteer Association will be in a quieter phase in July and August, deep in planning for another wonderful season in support of the STL Symphony.
We welcomed Kristin Lamprecht on July 5 in the new position of Director of Stewardship and Events. Laura Dwyer, our Associate Director of Volunteers, will report in to the organization through Kristin. The Boutique will be working with the new Marketing Coordinator, Rachel Sennett, who arrived on May 25. The STL Symphony also welcomes a new Resident Conductor, Gemma New. Laura Dwyer, a concert musician in her own right, is performing in the Colorado Music Festival this summer and will return on Thursday, August 11. While Laura will be available via phone and email, please note that her response may be delayed due to her rehearsal and performance schedule.
Next, please remember that your renewing gift to the Annual Campaign of $75 or more was due by June 30. If you have not yet renewed with your donation, you can click here to make your donation online.
If you have not yet turned in your 16/17 committee preferences, please click here to sign up online, even if you’ve been involved with specific committees this past season. Scroll down to the Membership section, where you can click to all sorts of information about committee options. Also in the Membership section, note the planned 16/17 General Membership Meeting dates. We want to be sure to include you in all we do next season!
I am truly grateful for having had the opportunity and honor to serve as your president this past year and look forward to working together in the next. Have a wonderful summer and get ready to roll!
Warmly,
Janice Seele
President
St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association
c: 714-642-3376
Membership
Membership Renewal
If you have not had a chance to do so yet, please make your gift of $75 or more to the STL Symphony's 2016 Annual Campaign to renew your SVA membership for the coming year! The Annual Campaign supports one-third of the orchestra’s budget and the participation of the SVA members in this effort is very important. Your prompt renewal is very much appreciated to help your board manage plans for next season! Donate Now
Membership Meetings
Be sure to mark your calendar for the following general membership meetings during the 16/17 season:
Fall Membership Meeting (Dinner) – Thursday, October 6, 2016
Winter Heat – Thursday, January 5, 2017
Winter Membership Meeting (Brunch) – Saturday, March 4, 2017
Spring Membership Meeting (Luncheon) – Friday, May 5, 2017
Membership Chair Liz Halpin and Vice Chair Rebecca Gorski are already at work securing venues and planning programs to make these meeting enjoyable and rewarding.
Committee Signups
If you have not done so already, please let us know which committees you’d like to take part in for the coming season. For your convenience, you can click here to go directly to an online committee sign-up form or download a document to send in via regular mail. There are many interesting volunteer opportunities available and we want to make sure you find your spot. If you are unsure or want to learn more, please review the list of committee descriptions. Committee chairs will soon be in contact.
Education
Picture the Music/Express the Music
The musical inspiration for the upcoming season's Picture the Music and Express the Music competitions has been selected, the Largo from Dvořák's gorgeous Symphony No. 9, "From the New World." Not only can this piece encourage rich visual imagery with a wide emotional range, but the piece will be featured in the fall Education Concerts, in the Picture the Music and Express the Music competitions and in the spring Family Concerts, allowing for great synergies in developing students and family audiences. The committees are already at work updating materials and, very importantly, teacher lists, which change yearly.
Instrument Playground
Instrument Playground is planning a kick-off meeting at the SVA office on Thursday, September 8, 10am-12pm. Those interested in this committee should place this on their calendars. The Instrument Playground committee is always looking for new members eager to share the joy of instruments with children.
SVA Office Location and Directions
Centene Center for Arts and Education
3547 Olive St., Suite 370
St. Louis, MO 63103
STL Symphony Office Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm
Associate Director, Volunteer Programs, Office Hours: Mon-Thurs, 10:00am-3:00pm
