March Guild Notes

MARCH 2022 GUILD NOTES

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with us!

Irish eyes will be shining when we get together on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 at 4:00 P.M. for the March Membership Meeting. Teresa Osam has invited us to her home, 50 Chenal Circle, Little Rock, AR 72223. Note that this is a change from the location and time published in the Guild Directory. We have a real treat in store with a performance from the ASO Rockefeller Quartet. Attendees names will be placed in a drawing for two tickets to the ASO concert of their choice and, with a nod to St. Patrick’s Day, a drawing for a shamrock plant. May you have the luck ‘o the Irish. It will be wonderful to be together in person.

NEWS FROM YOUR PRESIDENT

Dear Guild Friends,

Due to unexpected circumstances beyond our control, we were forced to cancel the Historic Show House fundraiser less than a week before our first party, Overture. This is such a disappointment because the committee was making exciting plans, and we were delighted about being in the Quapaw Quarter. Hopefully, we’ll be able to find another wonderful historic house in the future. The committee, led by co-chairs Larry West, Lesley Cooper, and Christy Lund, is amazing. Their dedication to fundraising on behalf of the Guild and the ASO is unflagging, and they are already planning another spring fundraiser. I think we can expect an exciting announcement at the March 17 Membership meeting at Teresa Osam’s home.

From ASO Executive Director Christina Littlejohn comes the announcement that a special memorial concert will be held on Thursday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church. The ASO will perform a free concert in memory of our ASO Family members that have passed away over the last few years. This includes Lee Ronnel, Ellen Gray, Jim Hatch, JoAnn Greene, and many more. More details will be announced closer to the concert. Christina also shared the news that the ASO is one of 24 Orchestras in the Country to be awarded a Rescue Plan grant from the NEA. ASO received a $150,000 grant to perform children's concerts, record and distribute them across the state, and perform a family concert in Pine Bluff for calendar year 2022 and 2023. This grant was practically impossible to get. The NEA had over 7500 applications and was able to award fewer than 600 grants.

Jeanne and Bob Fitzgerald, chairs of the Stella Boyle Smith Young Artists Competition, report that generous donors have given three of the four prizes awarded in the categories of Brass, Piano/Percussion, Strings, and Woodwinds. These division awards are for $250 each, and the grand prize is $1,000. If you would like to donate prize money or cover some of the expense of the competition, mail your check to Tracey Rice, Guild Treasurer, at #7 Lou Ellen Drive, LR, 72202.

Please plan to attend the March 17^th meeting. I hope we’ve come full circle. Two years ago, the March Membership meeting was our last in-person meeting for a while. Virtual meetings have met our needs, but as we saw with our holiday party at Joyce Harb’s, there’s no substitute for actually being with friends.

Sincerely,

Tandy Cobb

MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES

Our February 17 General Membership Meeting was held virtually. It was great to hear about the good things that are happening with the Guild. If you were unable to attend, you'll find the minutes by opening the attached link here . We missed seeing you! Don't forget to put the March 17 meeting on your calendar.

March Calendar of Events

11^th 10:00 A. M. ASO Children’s Concert “American Odyssey” – Robinson Center

12^th 7:30 P. M. Pops Concert – A Tribute to the Queen of Soul: Aretha Franklin

13^th 3:00 P. M. Aretha Franklin Tribute – Robinson Center

17^th 10:00 A. M. Guild Board Meeting – Fletcher Library, 823 N. Buchanan St., LR

17^th 4:00 P. M. Guild Membership Meeting – Teresa Osam’s, 50 Chenal Circle, LR23

26^th 7:30 P. M. Pops Concert – Fascinating Gershwin-Robinson Center

27^th 3:00 P. M. Pops Concert – Fascinating Gershwin – Robinson Center

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USHER TRAINING

Twenty volunteers received usher training on Saturday, February 26, and Sunday, February 27, prior to the performances. Included in the training was a tour of Robinson Center, locations often requested by patrons, and responsibilities of the uniformed Robinson Ambassadors. If enough people request the training, another session will be scheduled prior to next season.

Report from the Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee proposes the following members to serve as officers during the 2022-2023 ASOG program year.

President Tandy Cobb

1^st Vice President Camille Williams

2^nd Vice President Betty Herron

3^rd Vice President Ouida Keck

4th Vice President Gail Davis

Treasurer Tracey Rice

Assistant Treasurer Nancy Cole

Recording Secretary Pat Luzzi

Members at Large Janice James

Sherry Shinn

This proposal will be voted on at the March meeting.

The success of an organization depends on the commitment and creativity of its leaders. The ASOG is fortunate to have such gifted leaders who are willing to dedicate their time and talent to support the ASO in its artistic and educational mission. Tandy Cobb has a vision for the Guild’s future and we are grateful that she will be the President for another year. For growth to occur, consistent leadership is necessary and we appreciate her willingness to continue to work on behalf of the ASOG. Camille Williams has agreed to become President for the 2023-2024 year. Her willingness to commit to the Guild means that the ASOG will return to the previous practice of having the 1^st V.P. assume the presidency and will provide stable leadership as the ASOG navigates its way through the pandemic.

Many thanks to Gail Davis, Ouida Keck, Sherry Shinn and Camille Williams for their work on this project and for recognizing the importance of their task.

Susan Marsh, Chair

Nominating Committee

CHILDREN'S CONCERT

The Children’s Concert this year will be held both in person at Robinson and virtually. The in-person concert will be March 11 at 10 am. So far 800 students are signed up, with the numbers climbing daily. Ushers are needed to escort the children from their buses to their seats. Please contact Camille Williams if you can help out on March 11 at cbwbooks@gmail.com. Last year’s virtual concert reached 23,000 students across the entire state of Arkansas. We are hoping to exceed that number this year. The concert on March 11 will be recorded and edited and made available to those with reservations for about a month starting March 28. Please spread the word and come help if you are able. For more information visit the ASO’s website at www.ArkansasSymphony.org