HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY You're going to love this

GUILD NOTES Calendar of Upcoming Events February 7th-10:00 a.m. Children's Concert, Robinson Center February 8th-7:30 p.m. and 9th at 3:00 p.m.-ASO Pops Concerts February 28-11:30 a.m.-Membership Meeting (see below) February 28-9:30-4:30 Bridge Bash, Pleasant Valley Country Club February 29-Stella Boyle Smith Competition, UALR Fine Arts Building February 29-7:30 p.m. and March 1 at 3:00 p.m. Masterworks Concert, Robinson Center April 10-May 10-Designer House FEBRUARY MEETING INFORMATION AND MEAL RESERVATIONS The February Membership meeting will be at the home of Mary Millsap, 6 Longfellow Lane, on Thursday, February 13 at 11:30 a.m. Following the meeting, assorted sandwiches and side items will be available from Jimmy's Serious Sandwiches. RESERVATIONS FOR LUNCH ARE REQUIRED. Reserve a lunch by email with phyllisbarrier@comcast.net or call Jane Liem at 501-227-0947 and leave a voice message. The deadline for lunch reservations is 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 9 . Lunch will be $12 per person and may be paid at the meeting with cash or a check made payable to ASOG. (This RSVP information is only for reserving a lunch-no need to contact Phyllis or Jane about attending the meeting.)

CHILDREN'S CONCERT "A Symphony Safari" 2.210 students and teachers are attending the ASO Children's Concert on February 7. Thanks to all the ASOG members who are ushers for this wonderful concert. Conductor Izzy Getzov, a narrator and our fabulous orchestra members will lead us through a musical safari adventure. Arkansas Circus Arts performers, dressed in animal outfits, will entertain us as the buses arrive.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE February is a busy month for the ASO Guild members. I hope many of you attended the largest Bare Bones Party in the history of the Symphony Designer House. What a great way to kick off our 25th Symphony Designer House. Kudos to Larry West and his great group of volunteers for coordinating this event. Be looking for ways you can volunteer at the house. The Children's Concert (sold out) is on Friday, February 7 at 10:00 a.m. in Robinson Music Hall. Beth and Paul Nyhus have worked very hard to fill the hall. Friday, February 28th is the annual Bridge Bash at the Pleasant Valley Country Club. There is a morning and afternoon session and Dick Heil from the Little Rock Duplicate Bridge Club will be conducting the tournament. Masterpoints will be awarded to those players earning high scores. Saturday, February 29 (Leap Year Day), Jeanne and Bob Fitzgerald are conducting the Stella Boyle Smith Competition at UALR. We were fortunate to hear last year's winner, Tian Lam, at our January Guild Meeting. I am looking forward to seeing you at our next guild meeting, February 13, 2020 at 11:30 at the home of Mary Millsap, 6 Longfellow Lane. Thanks for all you do to promote music in Arkansas. Betty Herron, President

REFLECTIONS FROM THE JANUARY MEETING

Nancy Crow, George Keck, Ouida Keck, Janice James Pat Luzzi, Shirley Vanderslice Erma Jean Carter, June Lloyd, Tracey Rice

Arthur Dercksen, Teresa Osam Tian Lam, 2019 Stella Boyle Smith winner and guest performer

BARE BONES PARTY-DESIGNER HOUSE-January 16,2020

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR DESIGNER HOUSE XXV

Volunteers are needed throughout the month long Designer House XXV, which will be open for tours April 10-May 10. Pick your post: Day Captains and docents for rooms in two houses, gift shop helpers, tea room servers, transportation assistants. Volunteers are need for both day and evening events, including the Crescendo Gala April 9 and Girls Night Out April 23. Orientation and training will be provided. Volunteers are provided a discounted run-of-show ticket for $12 (a $45 value) in appreciation of their service. To volunteer, contact Paige James at (501)350-6169 or pjames135@comcast.net

STELLA BOYLE SMITH COMPETITION This event is coming up quickly-Saturday, February 29, from 8:30-4:00. We have donors committed to the category prizes for strings, piano/percussion and woodwinds. We are still in need of the prize for the brass category winner plus first and second overall winners. Funds are also needed for piano tuning, judges' compensation and judges' lunches. Donations in any amount would greatly benefit the ASO Guild as we encourage young musicians. We also need 3-4 more volunteers for that day. Thank you so much for supporting this exciting ASO Guild endeavor. Please call or email us for either donor or volunteer information. Bob 870-612-9525 Jeanne 870-612-2800 bjfitz1995@gmail.com

Bob and Jeanne Fitzgerald, SBS Co-Chairs

MEET YOUR NEW ASO MEMBER Charlotte Crosmer Charlotte Crosmer discovered a love for chamber music early on, growing up playing in a string quartet with her siblings. In addition to her classical studies, she started experimenting with improvising and old-time fiddle music. This interest led her to winning several competitions including the Arkansas State Old-time Fiddling Championship at age 12 and an appearance on NPR's "A Prairie Home Companion". Charlotte completed a B. M. in Violin Performance at UCA and Masters degrees in Chamber Music and Violin Performance from the University of Michigan. In 2015 she was invited to join the cast of Barrage 8 and toured with them for one year. She is a new member of the Quapaw String Quartet and ASO and can be heard fiddling with bluegrass groups Big Still River and Runaway Planet.

All information for the March Guild Notes must be sent to Ouida Keck no later than February 25.