WSL Notes. 60th WSL BENEFIT BALL PROMISES A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FRIDAY MARCH 6 7:00 PM HARVEY HALL. WSL Executive Board

Transcription

1 M A R C H, A P R I L & M A Y, WSL Notes WSL Executive Board President Dr. Cheryl Rogers President Elect Linda Rowe Administrative Assistant Britt Sabota Advisor & Parliamentarian Joan LeSauvage Nominating Cindy Kidwell Recording Secretary Sandy Baugh VP of Finance Tina Pollard Symphony Ball Chair Linda Rowe VP of Administration Barbara Powers VP of Education Jill Campbell VP of JSL Stacey Hiles VP-Elect of JSL Cici Shelton VPs of Membership Tina Pollard Norma Smith VP of Social Activities Suzanne Curtis ETSO Executive Director Nancy Wrenn 60th WSL BENEFIT BALL PROMISES A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION FRIDAY MARCH 6 7:00 PM HARVEY HALL The 2015 WSL Benefit Ball, Heart Strings.A Night of Celebrat ion is f ast approaching! Invitations have been mailed and we hope many of you are planning to attend. We have planned a beautiful evening highlighted by the presentation of the JSL Class of ETSO Music Director Richard Lee will be in attendance and he has donated a Silent Auction item for a private Yoga Class with him and your closest friends!! Other Silent Auction items include the opportunity to vacation in wonderful places as well as an array of something for everyone. F o l l o w i n g t h e J S L Presentation, there is a fabulous seated dinner prepared and served to you by Traditions. During dinner you will be serenaded by the band Emerald City from Dallas. We will have a fabulous Benefit Drawing, a $7,500 Susan Robinson Shopping Spree. Tickets are still available in your invitation reply card or online at the WSL website, you do not have to be present to win! Thank you Susan Robinson and Joyce Buford for this sponsorship! Ramsey Fritz is sponsoring the Treasure Boxes this year with a beautiful pair of Diamond Earrings in ONE BOX!! 10 of the boxes are from LeaAnn Fritz and 40 are from local vendors and restaurants in our community. Only 50 boxes will be sold! All proceeds benefit the ETSO and music education programs. Please join us in support of this worthy endeavor and help keep the music playing!

2 Dear Ladies, Page 2 Spring has sprung and has ushered in more moments to take our breath away. We begin with Heart Strings, Friday, March 6 - A Night of Celebration featuring 49 JSL Seniors, exquisite cuisine, gorgeous decorations, and fabulous dancing. Linda Rowe and her committee have been working tirelessly to bring you an evening to remember. Attend the East Texas Youth Orchestra s Eighteenth Annual Noted Circle Concert honoring Mr. Archie Jones and Ms. Joanie Rathbun-Russell February 22 at First Presbyterian Church at 4:00 p.m. Support our wonderful East Texas Symphony Orchestra spring events. On March 28, be prepared for an evening of great melodies ones that you grew up with. Christine Wu, the 2013 Juanita Miller Concerto Competition Grand Prize Winner is performing. Watch for Director Richard Lee in the viola section! April 10 and 11 is the Piano Festival at Liberty Hall featuring Fabio Parrini and musicians from Marvin Methodist. April 25 is the Sublime Finale, featuring Shannon Mercer, soprano. Join us for a special Spring Fling WSL gathering Thursday, April 16 at 4:30 p.m. in the beautiful home of Laura Waits as we welcome new members and recognize our faithful 25-year members! Celebrate the end of our successful WSL year with a Fresh Approach to the Classics on Thursday, May 7 at Fresh by Brookshire s. Plan to meet your friends at this wine and cheese event being organized by Deborah Johnson and Noelle Courson. WSL NEWSLETTER INSERT Included in this Newsletter: Names and Photos of the Outstanding JSL Class of 2015 who will be presented at the WSL Benefit Ball Heart Strings A Night of Celebration 7:00 pm Harvey Convention Center Watch your mail for membership packets! Take this opportunity to select a fun and meaningful placement to serve our community, meet and be with friends and help in our mission to support and promote the growth of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra and music education in our community. I want to close by thanking Leslie Roberts, Kelly Michaels, Gena Himes, and Tisa Weiss Hibbs for their gracious hospitality in opening their beautiful homes for our winter Full Board and General meetings. Nancy Wrenn for graciously opening her beautiful home to help us honor our past Ball chairs. Leigh Ann Bugg, Brenda Stratton, Joyce Hudnall, Betty McMahan and our Bunko Night/Games Day Committee for two wonderfully successful events. Linda Rowe along with her diligent committee for a magical WSL Ball and for managing the many aspects of this huge fundraising project with such grace throughout the year. And importantly, I want to thank YOU for being a part of the arts in our community and ensuring that Tyler is enriched with the sounds of a professional orchestra! Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens Maria von Trapp Straight from the Heart, Dr. Cheryl Rogers WSL President

3 Page 3 TASO NEWS Annette Findley, past President of the W omen s Symphony League of Tyler, will preside at the two-day meeting of t he Texas Associ ation for Symphony Orchestras (TASO) this spring in San Antonio. Annette was named State President of the volunteer organization during the statewide meeting held in April Joi Smith, TASO State Meeting Advisor, is also Vice President of the TASO Conference. Interested members of the Women s Symphony League of Tyler are invited to participate in the state conclave to be held at the newly-renovated St. Anthony Hotel on April 11 & 12 along the romantic San Antonio River Walk. Outstanding projects from symphony leagues / guilds throughout the state of Texas will be presented by volunteers representing organizations similar to the Women s Symphony League of Tyler. Sharing new ideas for ongoing projects as well as highlighting new concepts in supporting local symphony orchestras is the goal. Two projects from Tyler, unique to the state of Texas, were selected for presentation. Cheryl Rogers, WSL President, will speak on a placement concept initiated last year with One & Done. This placement option is available to a limited number of WSL volunteers on a first come, first serve basis and provides an opportunity for members to select one volunteer option during the year to complete their placement requirements. It is particularly geared toward individuals who have had a busy WSL year and want to reduce their commitment the next year while staying active as well as members who have heavy commitments in other areas of their life. Linda Rowe, WSL President-Elect, will present a second project focused on WSL meeting changes initiated during She will highlight the move from public meeting sites to member homes and the change in meeting schedules to better accommodate member needs. She will discuss the change from midmorning meetings to noon, late afternoon and evening meetings that meet the needs of professional members as well as the schedules of all members. Others attending the TASO Conference will be LaVerne Gollob and Laura Hyde, both past TASO Presidents; and Cindy Kidwell, all TASO board members. The 2015 Junior Symphony League Senior Class will be presented after 2 years of service to the WSL, ETSO and ETYO at the 2015 Heart Strings WSL Ball. These 49 JSL Members have been such a joy to work with and have made my job go smoothly! I would like to thank the JSL Executive Committee, Amy Bone, Andy Wells, Tammy Pollard, Cici Shelton, Lynda Evans and Jennifer Holt for their h a r d w o r k a n d dedication! The JSL Monster Bowl was a huge success due to the leadership of Vicki Hammer and Stacy Horn. They had a great committee, which gave the JSL Members a great Fundraising Celebration. Lauren Bone represented the JSL Members at an ETSO Meet ing and presented a check to the ETSO. Deadline for WSL Members to propose an incoming JSL Member is March 1 st. Forms may be found on the WSL website as well as page 9 of the WSL Handbook. It has been my honor and privilege to work with these amazing young men and women and their parents as the JSL VP. I pray the JSL Members were left with an appreciation for the symphony and an understanding of volunteerism. Sincerely, Stacey Hiles, JSL VP staceyhiles@suddenlink.net SAVE THE DATE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE JOINT BOARD MEETING OF OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS AND THE INCOMING BOARD MEMBERS MAY 14, 2015 AT THE HOME OF LAURA PIERCE CR 149, Flint, Texas

4 Page 4 MEMBERSHIP UPDATES: Presently, there are 544 WSL members; of which 313 are Active; 166 are Associates, 11 are Associate Emeritus and 54 are new active members. Remaining Opportunities Available to meet Active Membership requirements as set forth on page 3 of the WSL Handbook, for : General Meetings April 16, 2015 Fundraiser : Symphony Ball March 6, 2015, FRESH Fundraiser May 7, 2015 East Texas Symphony League Concert: March 28, 2015 and April 25, 2015 (sign in at the JSL table for credit) Handbook Additions; Susan Sparkman Active P.O. Box 144 S. Concert Host Whitehouse, TX (c) sksparkman2010@gmail.com Terri Lumley, (William) Active 4910 Hallye Lane Arrang. Day (h), (c) terrilumley@sbcglobal.net Robin Buie Active 1200 Regency Lane Winter Fund (c) robinbuie@yahoo.com Karen Goforth, (John) Active 1116 Hansford Place One & Done Tyler, TX (c) Karen.goforth@yahoo.com Betty Anderson, (Rowe) 6825 Weston Court Associate Melanie Seidel, (Richard) Active 1012 Wilder Woods Harmony Inns (h), (c) rseidel@suddenlink.net Nancy Satterfield, (Scott) Active 4045 Stonegate Blvd. Cooks/Kitchen (h), (c) nancysatterfield@aol.com Ann Fitzgerald 625 Windsor Tyler, TX (w) Associate Jennifer Romines New Active 1410 Sequoia Dr. S. Concert Host (h), (w), (c) Jennifer.romines@gmail.com Amy Mills (James) Active 2115 Hollytree Dr. Membership (h) (c) (w) Jean Morgan Active 1116 Laurelwood Membership (h) Mary O Neill Active 6925 Park Slope Membership (h) (c) marybiddle@yahoo.com Handbook Corrections; Address Changes: Debbie Rose New robertdeb@aol.com ADDRESS CHANGES; Brandi White 1860 Bent Tree Lane Tammy Cowart 3666 Canyon Creek Circle Tyler, TX Jenny Romines 803 Tallyho Circle Kimberly Holley 6038 Pinecove Lane Elizabeth Clark 3710 Woods Blvd. Tyler, TX Brenda Eakin 1514 Holly Creek Drive Jennifer Hancock Lyell 1106 Enclave Way Columbia, SC Roxanne Pinkerton County Road 223 Arp, TX Shea Taucher 4085 Stonebridge Drive Tyler, TX Julie Thompson 709 Gabriel Drive Tyler, TX Membership News If you have an address, phone, or change please log on to To access the online directory, please use the following information: User Name: first portion of member s address currently on file with the WSL (ie. janedoe@gmail.com would utilize janedoe as the user name) Password: first portion of the member s address currently on file with the WSL plus the member s zip code on file (ie janedoe75703) If a member does not have an address on file or needs assistance logging in the first time, please contact Barbara Powers at ext 102. Each member should change the assigned password once logged into the directory. Passwords must be at least 6 characters and utilize a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers. If you have any questions concerning your membership please contact membership@wsltyler.org or Norma Smith

5 Page 5 MAY DAY! MAY DAY! SAVE THE DATE! Thursday, May 7, :30-8:30 at FRESH by Brookshire s WSL SPRING FUNdraiser A FRESH Approach to the Classics SOCIAL/MIXER Mark your calendars NOW! This is the last chance for Active Members to fulfill any remaining requirements. Also, it is a chance for Active and Associate members to invite guests - either husbands, friends or potential new members. It will be FUN for new members or potential new members to meet WSL members. Watch for your invitation coming soon from Noelle Courson and Deborah Johnson East Texas Youth Orchestra has a manager position opening. If you are interested, contact Jana Johns at JanaJohns@me.com Wrap up from HEARTS AT PLAY GAMES DAYS 2015 Two successful Women s Symphony League Games Day events were held in mid-january. Evening Bunko and Games Day players anxiously anticipate our mid-winter event, and about 200 people from the entire East Texas area were in attendance. To no one s surprise, guests came in great numbers even in the face of wintry weather. At each venue, warmth and fun waited inside. All present agreed that Willow Brook Country Club and Potpourri House were perfect places to be with dear friends on a rainy day or a cold night! Delicious food hot soup, sandwiches, dinners and desserts warmed the spirits of one and all! Games were lively and competitive. Door prizes were awarded throughout each event, and we thank the thirtyfive local merchants who donated so generously to us. The awarding of the chance drawing Grand Prize, a DINNER FOR EIGHT and an autographed cookbook, FAVORITE FLAVOR, from local food and cuisine expert, Christine Gardner, was the highlight of the day. We all were astonished when ETSO Music Director Richard Lee s name was drawn as the winner. He will plan WHEN AND WHERE to stage the dinner when he is in Tyler for the HEART STRINGS BALL in March. VOLUNTEER YOUR HOME! Richard needs a kitchen! Christine will be giving a cooking demonstration as she prepares the food. Thanks to each of you who supported us by attending or contributing to our event. A very special thank you goes to our committee for their 100% participation: Christi Adams, Darla Anderson, Karen Bochow, Robin Buie, Kara Camp, Dee Dee Fowler, Terri Jennings, Donna Johnson, Leann Johnston, Rosemary Jones, Julie McDaniel, Meriam Mercer, Kim Mercer, Karen Norton, Kristi Payne, Jennifer Rippy, Debbie Rose, Tricia Sepmoree, Alyson Sullivan, Alisa Swink, Becky Tillison, Sarah Van Cleef, and Cindy Williams. In gratitude, Leigh Ann Bugg Brenda Stratton - BUNKO Joyce Hudnall Betty McMahan GAMES DAY

6 Page 6 ETSO NEWS ETSO Concert Season Continues Have you experienced the East Texas Symphony Orchestra in concert this season? There are two concerts scheduled for this spring that will showcase great music and outstanding guest artists. March 28, 2015, ETSO Music Director Richard Lee will take a seat in the viola section of the orchestra as his conducting mentor, Raffi Armenian leads the East Texas Symphony Orchestra in a program of great melodies. You ll hear a trio of classic overtures including Rossini s popular William Tell Overture (featuring the Lone Ranger theme), the overture to Die Fledermaus by the waltz king, Johann Strauss, Jr., and Beethoven s dramatic Leonore Overture No. 3. Also on the program, ETSO continues its cycle of Beethoven symphonies, with the rare treat of his Symphony No. 8. Christine Wu Special guest for the concert is violinist Christine Wu, 2013 Juanita Miller Competition G r a n d P r i z e Winner, performing Mozart s Violin Concerto No. 1, written when the composer was just 19 years old. The ETSO season concludes on April 25, 2015, with a Sublime Finale, featuring music that will stir your soul, personally selected by Music Director Richard Lee. Central to the concert will be a performance of Mahler s transcendent Symphony No. 4, with soprano Shannon Mercer. The concert also features songs by Alban Berg and Gabriel Fauré s Pavane. It will be a moving end to the concert season. These concerts take place at the UT Tyler Cowan Center with performances beginning at 7:30 pm. Tickets start at just $10 and may be purchased online through ETSO.org or by calling ETSOA@Liberty Hall The ETSO Piano Festival enters its second season with two nights of concerts April 10 & 11 at Liberty Hall in Downtown Tyler. Fabio Parrini is guest soloist for the festival. For the Friday night performance, he will be joined by local musicians for a collaborative concert event. On Saturday night, Mr. Parrini will be featured in a solo piano r e c i t a l. T h i s performance is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Mitchell Willens. Tickets are just $20 for adults and $10 for students for each night. They may be Fabio Parrini purchased online through ETSO.org. Call the ETSO office at for more information. ETSO Educational Concerts Coming May 5 The East Texas Symphony Orchestra, with support from WSL, will present its annual school concerts on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at Caldwell Auditorium. This season the orchestra once again offers a program in the hugely s u c c e s s f u l series from Carnegie Hall, Link Up. Students in public and private schools in Tyler and 2014 Link-up Pre-Show su r r o u n d i n g areas have been preparing all year for The Orchestra Sings, using curriculum developed by Carnegie Hall. Their hard work will culminate in a series of three concerts on May 5. These highly participatory events allow students to perform with Richard Lee and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra both from on stage and from their seats in the auditorium, putting into practice theories that they have been studying in the classroom. The Link Up program has proven extremely popular with both educators and students. ETSO is now in its third year of offering concerts from the series. Savour the Moment and Support ETSO One of the newest venues to open in East Texas is hosting a special gala on Saturday, May 23, 2015, proceeds of which will benefit the ETSO. High Hill Farm is located outside Arp, on CR 217. This boutique vacation retreat will boast facilities for the perfect weekend getaway or special event. Owners Jason and Sharon Romano will celebrate their opening with Savour the Moment, the evening of May 23. The evening will feature a culinary experience that will include creations by Executive Chef Erin Willis and renowned Chef Andy Knudson, offered with special wine and cocktail pairings. Proceeds from the evening will support the East Texas Symphony Orchestra. Look for more information on how to reserve your place at this gala event at or visit

7 WSL SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION New applications for all of the WSL Music Scholarships are on the WSL website located at Deadline for applications is March 1, WSL offers the following scholarships: From Bud to Bloom Scholarship for a beginning music student up to age 7th grade Alex Fleming Memorial Scholarship for a music student 8th - 12th grade Music Merit Scholarship for a student seeking a degree in music. WSL has a new scholarship this year called "For the Love of Music Scholarship". This scholarship provides assistance to a beginning music student over the age of 18. WSL would like to encourage learning music at any age! ETYO NEWS: The 18th Annual Noted Circle Concert will be held Sunday, February 22, 2015 at 4 pm., at First Presbyterian Church. The event will honor Mr. Archie Jones and Ms. Joanie Rathbun- Russell. In other ETYO News, Jana Johns has been named the new interim board president. Her address is jana.johns@me.com. Winners of the Juanita Miller Concerto Competition Announced The 19th annual Juanita Miller C o n c e r t o Competition was held in Dallas on January 10, 2015 on the SMU c am p u s. T h e winners, pictured left are, Ridgeway Garner, 1st place winds; David (Shung-June) Danjul, 1st place piano; Patsy Donosky; Competition Chairman Jana Shafer; and Fiona Shae, 1st Place and Grand Prize winner, Strings. Christian Kay of Tyler received an Honorable Mention in Strings. WOMEN S SYMPHONY LEAGUE FOUNDATION The Women s Symphony League Foundation receives donations all year in HONOR or MEMORY of individuals or groups. Notes of thanks or acknowledgment on your behalf will be sent promptly on embossed WSL stationery. Please remember this as a perfect choice for you. AN ADDITIONAL MEMBERSHIP REMINDER: This April-May time period is the season for dues to be paid. When your envelope of materials arrives, an enclosed green sheet will give you an opportunity to choose making a simple Foundation donation or you may want to give an honorary or remembrance gift. WATCH FOR THE GREEN SHEET! Also, page 22 in your HANDBOOK gives details for giving throughout the year. Joyce Hudnall, WSL Endowment Foundation Page 7 Nominating Committee Proposes WSL Executive Board President Linda Rowe President Elect Beth Whitney Recording Secretary Laura Roberts VP Administration Jill Campbell VP Finance Tina Pollard VP Membership Norma Smith VP Social Sherrill Echols VP Education Jamie Brumfield Nominating Chairman Cheryl Rogers Ball Chairmen 2016 Amy Lively & Renee Faulconer VP JSL Cici Shelton VP Elect JSL Sandy Baugh Endowment Joyce Hudnall General membership will vote on the slate of officers at the April 16 Spring Fling and New Member Welcome. The meeting will be held at the home of Laura Waites, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

8 Dates to Remember Women s Symphony League of Tyler P.O. Box 6823 Tyler, TX Return Service Requested ATTENTION WSL MEMBERS Membership and Placement listing is in the Handbook! For additional questions contact: Membership VPs Tina Pollard at , or tinapollard1@gmail.com & Norma Smith at , or Nspumpkin@aol.com Reminder to all members: membership renewal packets will be mailed April 1. Please be prompt in returning all applicable forms in order to avoid late fees and to insure that your information will be included in the handbook. FEBRUARY February 22 Sunday East Texas Youth Orchestra Concert, 4:00 pm First Presbyterian Church, 230 Rusk, Tyler MARCH March 6 Friday WSL Benefit Ball, 7:00 pm midnight Heart s Strings, A Night of Celebration Harvey Convention Center March 19 Thursday Full Board Meeting, 11:30 am Home of Kelly Michaels, 2013 Holly Creek Drive, Tyler March 27 Friday Noon Notes: Christine Wu, violinist, 12 noon Liberty Hall, Downtown, Tyler March 28 Saturday ETSO Concert: Melody Makers, 7:30 pm UT Tyler Cowan Center APRIL April 9 Thursday Executive Board Meeting, 11:30 am TJC Board Conference Room, WASC April Texas Association for Symphony Orchestra s (TASO) - San Antonio April ETSO Piano Festival Liberty Hall April 16 Thursday General Meeting, Spring Fling and New Member Welcome, 4:30 pm Home of Laura Waits, 2609 S. Chilton, Tyler April 24 Friday Noon notes; Shannon Mercer, soprano, 12 noon Liberty Hall, Downtown Tyler April 25 Saturday ETSO Concert: Sublime Finale, 7:30 pm UT Tyler Cowan Center MAY May 5 Tuesday School Concert: - Caldwell Auditorium May 7 Thursday Fresh Approach to the Classics, 6:30 pm May14 Thursday Joint Board Meeting, home of Laura Pierce, CR 149, Flint May 17 Sunday May East Texas Youth Orchestra Concert, 4:00 pm First Presbyterian Church, 230 Rusk, Tyler League of American Orchestras (LAO) Conference Cleveland, Ohio

9 ra

10

11

12