President Teresa Osam
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2020-21
August 20-11 a.m.- ASOG Board Meeting- Zoom

September 24-10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon-
ASOG Officer/Chairmen Orientation with Breakout sessions and Board Meeting - Zoom

October 15-10:00 a.m.- ASOG Board Meeting – Zoom
 4:30 p.m.- General Membership Meeting  
 Under the ASOG Tent at the home of Teresa and Dr. Patrick Osam
50 Chenal Circle

December 10-10:00 A.M.-Virtual Holiday Coffee

February 18-9:30 a.m.-ASOG Board Meeting
11:00 a.m.-General Membership Meeting
                    
April 15-9:30 a.m.-ASOG Board Meeting
11:00 a.m.- ASOG General Membership Meeting
                                   
May 20-10:00 a.m.-ASOG Board Meeting   (Prior to Luncheon- same location)
11:30 a.m.-Spring Luncheon TBD
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General Membership Meetings
The September Fall General Meeting at the Governors Mansion has been cancelled.
It’s been difficult to work with our evolving plans this year but it’s our only reasonable, safe option.
The first General Meeting is now scheduled for Thursday, October 15.  The weather should be ideal for our sheltered gathering under the ASOG tent at the home of Teresa and Patrick Osam. Watch for that email invitation and details in your Guild Notes.
Although home interiors are not an option this year, price effective locations that can provide safe distancing and optimum performance conditions continue to be considered. Options for Zoom, Hybrid meetings (Live and Zoom) are underway.
Your suggestions and preferences are welcome. Please contact Teresa Osam at tosam@sbcglobal.net with your suggestions.

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Children's Concert
The Children's Concert will be held in February......possibly via streaming rather than in-person. Beth and Paul Nyhus are proceeding with the Curriculum Guides and everything else associated with it.
  
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FUTURE PLANS OF THE ASO
During these difficult times the ASOG applauds the ASO for its commitment to serving the community and the arts through its many outreach programs and performances. For updated information about ASO fundraisers and performances, visit their website:
PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
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Could we have possibly imagined the twists and turns that lay ahead when we were together at our last meeting in March?

Planning for the future has been challenging for every organization and every individual in this Covid-restricted world. Nothing has been routine or predictable. 
Sometimes it’s difficult to remember enjoying monthly Guild meetings with friends--listening to beautiful music in lovely homes; or watching children wiggle with excitement at the Children’s Concert on their first trip to Robinson Auditorium; or gripping their life size instruments during Orchestra and You; or, dancing the night away at our annual fundraiser. Let me assure you that Guild leaders continue working to meet the challenge. This is a determined group! 

The ASO Board, staff and musicians have wrestled with difficult realities and decisions, too. Just last week, it was announced to the Board that the POPS performances must be rescheduled to next year. Masterworks performances will be ‘reimagined” and Opus will be a virtual extravaganza.

Your ASOG membership is important to help meet our ongoing commitment to the music education programs and our annual pledge to the Symphony. It’s also important so that you can continue to receive the directory where you’ll find our membership roster, our schedule for the year, the list of committee chairs and our by-laws. You are important to the Guild’s future!

Thank you for your encouragement and advice. I’ve felt your support and your concern for the Guild. Together, we can do this!
Sincerely,
Teresa Osam
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Fund-raising Plans in Development
*ASOG 2020-21 Fundraising event
* Symphony Designer House Task Force
* Book sales for A Celebration of SYMPHONY DESIGNER HOUSE
* ASOG Designer House tent rentals

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Designer House
While you’re at it, take a minute to scroll through the Arkansas Symphony Designer House XXV Facebook page. Thanks to Chairman Larry West, it was “On with the Show!” With creative planning and successful distancing, our biennial event was profitable and lots of fun. The pre-production interviews with the wonderful designers are still posted to help show us their rationale and their unique styles. They were generous to extend their commitment so that we could begin two months late.  
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Stella Boyle Smith Young Artists' Competition
Teachers have been contacted concerning our plans to continue to hold the Stella Boyle Smith Young Musicians Competition.
 
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Books are Great Gifts!  
100% of all sales benefit the Guild!
A Celebration of SYMPHONY DESIGNER HOUSE

Hard cover with dust jacket, 120 pages, all color,
10.375 inches wide, 10 inches tall
 
A beautiful new commemorative book documenting the history of 25 Designer Houses in Arkansas since 1975 is hot off the presses and now available for purchase.
A Celebration of Symphony Designer House is filled with stories, history and photographs of the people and places that have been showcased by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Guild since 1975. The hard-cover, all-color book spotlights the biennial fund-raiser that invites local designers to transform a home that is then open to the public for tours. The book, underwritten by Pat and Jim Wallis, features narrative by Larry Floyd and photographs by Jai Lambert. The 2020 Designer House is featured on the cover of the book.
A Celebration of Symphony Designer House ($29.95) is available for purchase. (cash, check or credit card)  You’ll find the book in our participating Symphony Designer House designers. 
Phoenix Interiors
12315 Chenal Parkway
Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m.- 5:00 p..m. Saturday; closed Sunday
Phone: (501) 225-0400
Providence Design
2314 Cantrell Road
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed Saturday and Sunday
Phone: (501) 372-1886
Online Orders
All proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Guild.
Questions about the BOOK? Contact Teresa Osam tosam@sbcglobal.net or 501-804-6355
MEMBERSHIP
Many of you have already renewed your membership online while some members traditionally pay their dues at the Fall Meeting in September. If you’re not sure if you have renewed, you can contact Mary Jo Lewno, Guild Membership Chair, at lewno.maryjo@gmail.com   Here’s the link to pay dues or make a donation. 

Your continued support of the Guild is needed more than ever!