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A CELEBRATION OF ASOG ACTIVITIES 2020-2021 |
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From your ASOG Guild Presidents |
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Tandy Cobb, Incoming ASOG President 2021-22 and Symphony of Flavors Chair |
Symphony of Flavors Nets $25,000 for ASO
A Fundraising Committee of fourteen Guild members began meeting in October 2020, having been charged by the ASOG Board to create a virtual fundraiser that would bring in $8,000 toward the Guild’s annual pledge to the ASO. Out of the committee’s creativity, ingenuity, and plain old hard work, Symphony of Flavors was composed. Just as there are parts for many players in a symphony, there were many aspects of Symphony of Flavors to blend: chefs, venues, menus, videotaping, musicians, publicity, ticket sales, gift bags/buckets to fill and deliver. Everything came together to produce an outstanding success. Sponsorships, ticket sales, and donations grossed over $32,000. After expenses were paid, Symphony of Flavors had netted $25,400.00, far exceeding expectations. We were thrilled to be able to contribute $25,000 to the amount that the Guild would present the ASO, bringing the total to $60,000.
In addition to the money that was raised, the Guild made some new friends by reaching people who had not supported the Guild previously. The Guild members who delivered gift bags and sponsor buckets enjoyed visiting with subscribers each Wednesday in April. We are inviting these SoF supporters to join the Guild.
There are so many individuals who were integral to the success of Symphony of Flavors that to begin to thank them all risks omitting some-one accidentally. Neverthe-less, this fundraiser would not have happened without chefs Capi Peck of Trio’s, Ricardo Rincon of Kemuri, Eric Isaac of Capeo, and Clark Trim and Henrik Thostrup of Colonial Wines & Spirits, videographer Taylor Jacks, and Brandon Dorris, Director of Marketing for the ASO.
Let’s rest on our laurels for the summer, Guild. Hopefully, we’ll gather in person in September when we will begin preparations for Symphony Designer House XXVI.
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COMMEMORATIVE BOOK
A beautiful commemorative book documenting the history of 25 Designer Houses in Arkansas is 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.
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Susan Marsh, Outgoing ASOG President 2021 |
Dear Guild members and friends,
My last official duty as President was on Thursday, May 20 when the ASOG was able to be together for the first time in over a year. The Spring Luncheon in the Pavilion at Wildwood was the perfect venue to reunite with friends, celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and make our donation to the ASO.
Sucely Mayora, an 11th grade student, member of the Youth Orchestra and a violin student of Geoff Robson played four selections. After a short business meeting, we gave the Guild’s donation to Christina Littlejohn, ASO CEO. She was speechless after opening the envelope to find our donation in the amount of $60,000.
This is a year that we will never forget. In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic and all the changes that brought to our health, relationships, sense of security and community, the Guild’s accomplishments were stunning. Not knowing what the future would bring, Guild members joined together in innovative and creative ways to far surpass what we thought would be possible.
In this edition of Guild Notes you will read in more detail about the success of the Stella Boyle Smith Young Artist Competition and Symphony of Flavors. The Guild and the ASO were challenged to invent new ways of doing our traditional programs. The surprise was that more was accomplished in this year than in many “normal” years. We have learned lessons that will benefit the children in Arkansas in the future.
It has been my pleasure and delight to serve as your President these past six months. The Guild has wonderful members who are always gracious in offering help. Thank you for the lovely picture frame you gave me. I plan to use it for a picture of my grandchildren, Gavin and Ella. As I look at their photo I will also remember my time spent with all of you.
And now it is time to turn the baton over to Tandy Cobb. I am thrilled that she will be our next President and look forward to her leadership.
Susan Marsh
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2021-2022 Membership Renewal
As of May 31, 2021, your ASOG membership, unless you are a “Lifetime Member” or have recently renewed, has expired. We are, once again, sending a reminder to renew your membership, either online or by mail (see links below), as soon as possible. We would also like to hear from our “Lifetime Members” to confirm that we still have all their correct contact information. Many of us enjoyed our Spring luncheon at Wildwood and it was wonderful to see each others’ maskless faces and visit in this beautiful setting. We are certainly looking forward to reconnecting in person once again, in the coming year, as opportunities to safely meet are explored and presented by our imaginative board! Hoping to hear from you soon!
for a printable membership form to be mailed click here
Mary Jo Lewno, Chair
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ASO 2021 Children’s Concert Report
By Joanna Klett, ASO Educational Coordinator
The ASO 2021 Children’s Concert was recorded in March and then posted on the ASO website from April 1-30. Schools registered for the concert on the ASO website and then received a password to access the concert. Due to the overwhelming response from teachers, we will be offering a virtual option for the Children’s Concert next year!
Program:
Spring by Vivaldi – featuring Samuel Garcia, 15 year old violinist from Crossett, AR
Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev – narrated by LaSheena Gordon, vocalist and educator from Little Rock, AR
· 22,059 students registered (this number does not include teachers who also viewed the concert) and another 242 people registered under families/individuals – the concert was free, there was no cost to register
· 121 schools participated from 31 counties across Arkansas
· Schools/Individuals that registered for the Children’s Concert were also given free access to the Masterworks V recording
Comments from teachers:
“Being able to show the ASO Children’s Concert was one of the highlights of my year. The kids loved it! It was fantastic to show every student!” – Lakewood Elementary, North Little Rock
“They (students) LOVED the interviews beforehand and the examples of the instruments.” – Jefferson Elementary, Little Rock
“Getting to know the soloists that were like them (age, race, gender) and having the pieces introduced and explained before the performance.” – Oaklawn STEM Magnet, Hot Springs (This was in response to the question, what did your students enjoy most about the concert?)
The map below indicates the schools participating in the concert this year.
**Please note that Samuel Garcia, mentioned above, is a former ASOG Stella Boyle Smith Young Artists Competition Winner.
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STELLA BOYLE SMITH YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION 2021
The “virtual” version of the 2021 Stella Boyle Smith Young Artists Competition was a success, as we had 16 competitors from all around the state. The preliminary round was conducted by presenting YouTube performances directly to the judges. The five judges then chose 7 musicians to participate in the finals on May 8, when they gathered to see live performances on Zoom to judge the finalists.
Ann Gao was the first place winner with her piano concerto and took the division prize.
Alan Sun earned the second place on his clarinet and was also the division winner.
Geoffrey Sims was the brass division winner with his french horn and Michael Bridges won the string division on his cello. Winners are pictured below.
Thank you to the judges, Geoffrey Robson, Carl Anthony, Michael Underwood, Kelly Johnson and Linneae Brophy along with Brandon Dorris for his technical assistance.
Thank you also to Dale and Lee Ronnell and Betty and Jerry Herron for funding division awards.
Jeanne and Bob Fitzgerald, chairs
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If you would like to hear performances by these winners, click on the streaming link to the right: |
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SYMPHONY DESIGNER HOUSE XXVI
"Fun and Fabulous" are two words that come to mind when I think of Symphony Designer House. It is "Fun" because it is an opportunity to work with other ASOG volunteers and get to know them and share in the common goal of raising funds for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. It is "Fabulous" because interior designers, craftsmen and landscapers display their talent and creativeness throughout the Designer House and grounds, thereby, giving the rest of us ideas that we can incorporate into our homes and projects. It's always interesting to see the before and after images of each room in the home and exterior and how they "come to life" in a new and special way.
If you would like to participate in volunteering for the Spring 2022 Designer House, there is definitely a place for you. Come volunteer with a friend and enjoy your time together or come and make some new friends. Either way we can't have a successful Designer House without all of us working together to make it happen. Some opportunities include working with designers to help coordinate the details, marketing the event, staffing the house, chairing parties and events at the house, ticket sales, gift shop, etc. If you want to know more about how to volunteer, please contact Janice James at janicejames107@gmail.com or call her at 479-857-0960.
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