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The League of American Orchestras Volunteer Council leads, advocates, and champions volunteer organizations in their efforts to support their orchestras' community outreach and civic partnerships to advance the experience of orchestral music.
Spring 2022 Edition
Darlene Clark, Volunteer Notes Editor | edwincf@swbell.net
In This Issue
Let's Move "Forward Together!" Register Now for the 77th National League Conference
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Looks Forward to Welcoming You to LA!
Announcing the 2022 Gold Award of Excellence Competition
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
By Julie Meredith, Volunteer Council President
Spring is finally here. The sun is shining a little longer each day and nature is awakening. This spring feels different. It appears the world is getting some relief after a two-year winter of isolation, and we can finally gather with family and friends. I am excited to gather in California with all my friends from the Volunteer Council and many volunteers from across the country.
Ginny Lundquist, our 2022 Conference Chair, and her devoted committee have done a phenomenal job putting together meaningful sessions for volunteers. Please take a minute to read all the wonderful details in Ginny’s article, below.
There is a special synergy when volunteers gather and share ideas and information. We have so much to learn from each other. The discussions at the tables are just as important as the formal presentations. Your voice is needed, and I hope you join us at the League of American Orchestras’ Conference in a celebration of moving “Forward Together!”
LET'S MOVE "FORWARD TOGETHER!" REGISTER NOW FOR THE 77TH NATIONAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE
By Ginny Lundquist, Volunteer Council Conference Chair
As the 2022 Conference Chair for the Volunteer Council, I encourage all orchestra volunteers to attend the League Conference being held in Los Angeles this June. We are delighted to be able to attend Conference in person this year! We’ve expanded the volunteer-specific sessions and you will have a great selection of Elective Sessions to choose from as well. I have highlighted our volunteer “track” activities in this article but urge you to visit leagueconference.org to get information about the full line-up of Conference activities.
The Volunteer Track begins on Tuesday evening, May 31, with our Dine-Arounds. Dine-Arounds are a great way to share successes, challenges, and solutions with volunteers from across the country. Choose from a selection of four LA restaurants – featuring Italian, French, Japanese, or American cuisine - within walking distance of our host hotel, the Westin Bonaventure. Be sure to sign up for this event when you register for Conference. (You won’t pay for Dine-Arounds upon registration but you will give your first, second, and third restaurant choices so we can match you up with other volunteers. At the restaurant, you will order and pay for your own dinner.)
On Wednesday, June 1, volunteers will begin with a 9:30 am-noon session entitled “Tapping Volunteer Power.” This session features a panel discussion on the value of volunteers by members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates. The hard work and dedication of generations of volunteers have helped make the LA Phil the powerhouse orchestra it is today. During this session, volunteers will also be welcomed by Simon Woods, President & CEO of the League of American Orchestras, and Chad Smith, CEO of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. Complimentary coffee and muffins will be served.
Our Affiliates panelists include:
- Liz Shafer, President of the Speaker’s Bureau and LA Phil Conference Volunteer Liaison to the League Volunteer Council;
- Louise Peebles, former President of the Glendale Committee, current chair of the LA Philharmonic Affiliates;
- Barbara Lake, Ed. D, Volunteer Council member and President, SouthWest Heights Committee, Membership Chair and Community Outreach Chair for the LA Philharmonic Affiliates Board;
- Marian Hall, Past President and current Board of Directors, Peninsula Committee. Currently, Los Angeles Affiliates Board Liaison of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Board of Directors.
After lunch on your own, we will be “Sharing Success” with Classic and Gold Award winners. Classic Award winner FRIENDS of the Minnesota Orchestra will present “Kinder Konzerts in a Bag” followed by three Gold Award winners who were “Virtually Unstoppable” during COVID lockdowns:
- Beat Beethoven 5K, The Symphony Guild of Charlotte
- Music Matters/Online, Illinois Symphony Orchestra Guild of Bloomington-Normal
- 2021 Fine Arts Signing Day, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild
Then join the rest of the Conference delegation for the official opening of Conference. The Opening Session will include LA Phil Maestro Gustavo Dudamel and conductor/composer John Williams, plus a performance by the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA).
On Thursday, June 2, start your day by choosing from a variety of Elective Sessions. A few which we believe to be of interest to volunteers are:
- Beyond COVID-19: Immersed in the Future
- The Beckmen YOLA Center — How a Public-Private Partnership Driven by Personal Passion is Delivering Community Transformation
- Diversifying Audiences with Research and Relevance
- Silver Linings from the Golden State: Stories of Collaboration within California’s Orchestra Community
For lunch, join delegates from across the field at The League’s Annual Meeting Luncheon (included in registration). In addition to updates from the League and the presentation of the Gold Baton Award, the League’s highest honor, you will experience an exclusive musical performance by LA-based Baroque chamber ensemble KONTRAPUNKTUS and enjoy lunch with colleagues.
Next, volunteers will be “Sharing Success Part 2” with three Gold Award winners and six winners of the Spotlight Award. The Gold Award presentations— “All Around Town/In Your Community”— include:
- 2021 Historic Charleston Tour of Homes, Charleston Symphony Orchestra League
- Autumn Allegro 2020, Richmond Symphony League
- Symphony of Flavors, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Guild
The Spotlight Award projects illustrating that “The Show Must Go On” include:
- Music in the Garden, Eugene Symphony Guild
- Fall in Love with Music Virtual, League of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association
- 40th Annual Redwood Empire Sing-Along Messiah, Santa Rosa Symphony League
We’ll also feature Spotlight Award projects that “Raise A Glass to the Orchestra”:
- Mad Hatters, Baton Rouge Symphony League
- Beer + Bach Virtual Event, Council Bluffs Guild of the Omaha Symphony
- Sippin’ with Symphony, Volunteers for Symphony - Quad City
Following a dinner break, hear the LA Phil, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, in concert (tickets sold separately) and end the night at the Tune-Up Party (included in registration). Both events take place at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. You may purchase concert tickets online from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and receive a 20% discount using code ORCH2022.
On Friday, June 3, you may once again choose from a variety of Elective Sessions, prior to attending the volunteer “Networking” session. This promises to be a fun activity to engage with other volunteers on topics including membership, fundraising, leadership, and discuss what you have learned from Conference that you can take back to your organization. This will be followed by “Cultivating the Next Generation & Sharing Success Part 3”. This session features the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Vice President of Learning, Elsje Kibler-Vermaas, detailing what the symphony is doing to educate the next generation of musicians, composers, and orchestra lovers.
Elsje Kibler-Vermaas, Vice President of Learning, Los Angeles Philharmonic. Photo Credit: LA Phil.
Following her presentation, we will hear from the final two Spotlight Award winners on “The Art of Fundraising”:
- Kansas City Symphony Secret Art Auction, Kansas City Symphony Alliance
- Art, Strings and Tambourines, Illinois Symphony Orchestra Guild of Bloomington-Normal
We will conclude our final volunteer session with information about the 2022 Gold Award of Excellence program, an introduction to the 2023 League Conference, and a drawing for a free registration to the League’s 2023 Conference in Pittsburgh.
Then it is off to the League’s Closing Session, followed by open time to explore LA on your own. If you are sticking around town for the night, you might consider attending Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl, starring Gwen Stefani, the LA Phil, Branford Marsalis, YOLA, and more. Single concert tickets are available using promo code ORCH2022BOWL to access tickets ahead of the general public. Note that those attending will be responsible for their own transportation.
I think you’ll agree we have created a wonderful program for volunteers, and we look forward to seeing you in Los Angeles!
Safety Information: At the time of this publication (April 2022), the following COVID-19 safety procedures will be followed at Conference: All Conference participants will be required to show proof that they have received a COVID-19 vaccine. A booster shot is also encouraged but not required. More information regarding how to provide proof of vaccination will be forthcoming.
The League will set a masking policy closer to the event in accordance with state and local guidelines and recommendations by the CDC. Proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques and work practices are in place at the Westin Bonaventure and other Conference venues. Please note that League COVID-19 policies are subject to change at any time. Should the policy change, the League will be in contact with participants.
THE LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION LOOKS FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO LA!
By Liz Shafer, LA Conference Volunteer Liaison
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association looks forward to hosting the League of American Orchestras 77th National Conference from June 1-3, in partnership with the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO).
The LA Phil’s home, Walt Disney Concert Hall (WDCH) is located on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. Grand Avenue is home to many of the city’s cultural landmarks, including the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles; the Los Angeles Music Center, home to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum, and the Roy and Edna Disney/Cal Arts Theatre. City Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), the Broad Museum, the Colburn School, and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) are also within walking distance.
When not attending in-person events, seminars, and panel discussions, visitors can take in the sights and sounds of Grand Park, which stretches from the Music Center to City Hall. The 12-acre oasis provides Angelenos year-round free public programming and green spaces to connect, create, and celebrate.
June 3, 2022 is also Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl, which will celebrate its 100th Anniversary with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel, conductor, and guest performers Gwen Stefani; Robert Bolle; Branford Marsalis; Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA); the UCLA Bruin Marching Band; the USC Trojan Marching Band; and dance trio Let It Happen; followed by spectacular fireworks.
Please enjoy the hospitality of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the City of Los Angeles during your stay in June.
ANNOUNCING THE 2022 GOLD AWARD OF EXCELLENCE COMPETITION
By Kathy Leibrand, Volunteer Council
It is time to save the date to share your best ideas, creative events, and successes with other volunteers who support symphony orchestras throughout the country. Plan to enter the League of American Orchestras Volunteer Council Gold Award of Excellence competition for outstanding volunteer projects.
Gold Awards of Excellence, Spotlight Award, and the Classic Award (not awarded every year) are selected from an array of submission categories, including Fundraising, Audience Development/Community Engagement, Communication/Technology, Education, Membership, Service, Flexibility/Adaptability and Leadership/Organizational Structure. Award winners will be invited to present their projects at the 2023 National Conference in Pittsburgh, June 14-16.
The formal launching of the Volunteer Council Gold Award Program will be during the National Conference in Los Angeles June 1-3, 2022.
An email containing specific information and the Gold Award official entry form will follow shortly thereafter. Entries may be submitted through August 31st, 2022.
More information will be available on the League of American Orchestras Volunteer Council pages of the League Website in June.
2021-22 LEAGUE VOLUNTEER COUNCIL
Our Mission
The purpose of the Volunteer Council is to support the mission of the League of American Orchestras by providing leadership, communication, and a resource link between the League and orchestra volunteers.
Leadership Committee
- Julie Meredith, President (Arnold, MD)
- Janet Cabot, President-Elect (Madison, WI)
- Ginny Lundquist, Conference Chair (Detroit, MI)
- Bruce Colquhoun, Conference Chair-Elect (Spokane, WA)
- Cindy Kidwell, Immediate Past President (Tyler, TX)
Members
- Sally Bullard (Philadelphia, PA)
- Darlene Clark (Houston, TX)
- Loretta Davenport (Chicago, IL)
- Barbara Lake (Los Angeles, CA)
- Kathy Leibrand (Kansas City, MO)
- Charlotte Lewis (New Orleans, LA)
- Florence Mc Lean (Baltimore, MD)
- Laurie Skjerseth (Quad City, IA)
- Irene Sohm (Santa Rosa, CA)
- Maggie Stehman (Washington, D.C.)
Ex-Officio Members
- Marena Gault, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, TX | Association of Major Symphony Orchestra Volunteers (AMSOV) Liaison
- Douglas Hagerman, League of American Orchestras | President of the Board of Directors
- Liz Shafer, LA Conference Volunteer Liaison
- Linda Stevens, Kansas City Symphony, MO | Sustainer Liaison
- Marylou Turner, Kansas City Symphony, MO | Sustainer Mentoring Program
- Samara Ungar, League of American Orchestras | Staff Liaison
- Simon Woods, League of American Orchestras l President & CEO
Credits:
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