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To my SVA Family, bonjour!

So much has occurred since my last article in February. Who would have thought that something called COVID-19 would sweep across the nation and impact our lives in so many ways? The SLSO is continuing to share music while we can''t be together. The most popular are the #SLSOatHome videos, which are being shared on Facebook and Instagram, but you can also find them here.

Also be sure to check out all the new articles on SLSOstories.org, including interviews with St?phane and a number of our musicians. And check out the PTM article below for some exciting news from friend of the SVA and Associate Director of Individual Giving, Joe Drexelius.

I can't think of a better way to stay connected to the SVA and to each other than reading through our News and Notes which describes the many activities that took place in February and March while events were still being held. We haven't "talked" for a while, so please excuse my long article! I salute all of our volunteers who have worked so hard throughout the year, with a special shout out to the following Chairs and Committees whose activities took place this past spring:

Martha Duchild, Chair, Pop Culture Trivia Night Chair, and her entire crew

Patty Kaplan and Mark Mittleman, Chair/Vice Chair of Advocacy

Sherry Moschner and Debbie Eldgridge, Chair/Vice Chair of Picture the Music

Glenna Schindler and Liz Halpin, Chair/Vice Chair of Express the Music and Bev Cox who assisted Glenna with arrangements

Judy Brown and Susanne Mertens, Chair/Vice Chair of Membership and Events- with their brunch "team," Terri Ciccolella and Barbara Sprick

Suzanne Seibel and Elizabeth Hahn, Chair/Vice Chair of New and Prospective

Members

Sara Fabick and Jamie Spencer, Chair/Vice Chair of Friends and their team for the hundreds of thank you calls they made

I'm going to let our Chairs tell you all about their exciting activities, so be sure to scroll down and read about each of our committees.

As diverse as these events are, they all have two things in common-I'll call them the 2 C's:Camaraderie and Collaboration.

Camaraderie: "feeling of closeness, trust and friendship among people who spend time together"

At my very first SVA board meeting, I asked each member to state why they joined the Symphony Volunteer Association and what they like best about the SVA. Although many reasons were given, there was one, in particular, that stood out-they joined the SVA because a friend got them involved, and they love the SVA because of the strong friendships they have made. I have seen first-hand how committee members come together as individuals and then quickly bond as a group. Maybe it's the M&M's they pass around at meetings.or the fun stories they exchange during a meet and greet.or the feeling of accomplishment they share after planning an event. I invite each and every one of you to join a committee and experience this special camaraderie with us.

Collaboration: "working together with leadership and efficiency to achieve a common goal"

I can't think of a better way to describe the relationship our committees have with the Symphony staff! I wonder how many of you know what our wonderful staff does for us behind the scenes to ensure the success of every one of our programs, in addition to their specialized roles supporting the orchestra. Let's meet these wonderful people:

Mitch Aubuchon - sets up our laptop for meetings at Powell

Maggie Bailey - gives us tour dates and keeps us informed of changes or off-limit sites

Dawn Berkbigler - assists group hosts for Coffee Concerts and holiday concerts

Anne Marie Block - generates thank you letters, assists with patron donations, helped us a great deal inputting all donations and in-kinds for Trivia Night

Ron Bolte - assists us with sound at Winter Heat

Vicki Boutwell - vets Ambassador Training and edits documents for us-makes sure our speling is corect!

Michelle Byrd - works with IN UNISON and helps us assist youth chorus during holiday concerts

Maureen Byrne - directs our Education Hosts

Sue Crisp - helps create membership meeting invites, website updates, schedules with Creative to create flyers, posters, banners for websites and emails

Caitlin Custer - creates Playbill articles and pre-concert slides

Joe Drexelius - works with our Friends Committee and prepares list of patrons for thank you calls

Abby Freeman - works closely with One and Done on holiday shows and marketing efforts like Earth Day and Taste of St. Louis

Daniel Glen - creates wonderful designs like the banner and flyer for Trivia Night

Angie Gunn - creates our email lists through Tessitura

Carrie Hendricks - keeps track of our background checks for tour guides and boutique

Jessica Ingraham - oversees Instrument Playground, Picture the Music, and Express the Music

Amy Kaiser - allows us to attend her rehearsals and is a guest speaker at SVA events

Julie Kruempel- works with One and Done to have a host for shuttle to coffee concerts

Kristin Lamprecht - Laura Dwyer's supervisor and in charge of our budget as well as a source for advice

Victoria Lam - assists Laura with getting time with St?phane when approved by VPs

Maribeth Lay - sets up tables and provides coffee for our meetings at Powell Hall

Brittney McIntyre - oversees Picture the Music and Express the Music with Jessica Ingraham

Rick McKenna - helps us move items for Winter Heat and Picture the Music

Lillian Pinto de S? - edits numbers for Advocacy Day handouts

Samantha Sachtleben - works with Youth Orchestra committee; arranged for YO musicians to perform at our October, 2019 fundraising concert and volunteer at Trivia Night

Cynthia Schon - directs our Education Hosts and helps us with parking for all events at Powell Hall

Rachel Sennett - creates digital marketing ads, including those for Trivia Night, and formats the News & Notes you are reading

Maggie Stanley - works with teaming corporate volunteers and SVA committees

Liz Sullivan - creates design materials like the poster for New and Prospective MembersVolunteer Fair

Stage Crew - assists with preparing stage for Picture the Music Awards Ceremony

Kelsey Templeton - manages the Boutique, trained Trivia Night volunteers on use of the Square and created the input list for Trivia Night auction items

Lindsey White - set up SVA airport Meet and Greet with St?phane

And of course our own Laura Dwyer, Director of Volunteer Activities, who staffs the SVA and is our "go to" for everything!

When I first asked Laura to compile this list, I had no idea there were so many SLSO staff people involved with the SVA!! Add to these names Norman Eaker, Chair of the SLSO Board of Trustees, and Marie-H?l?ne Bernard, SLSO President and CEO, and you cannot find a more impressive group of talented and dedicated people whose goals are to support the Symphony and enrich our lives through the power of music!

These two "C's," Camaraderie and Collaboration help make our organization strong and vibrant. As that famous song says "you can't have one without the other" We are so fortunate to have both!

One last thought.

It's hard to believe that I am completing my first year as your SVA President. I am so blessed to have such a dedicated Executive Committee who will be continuing with me for the next year: Kent McNeil, Education VP; Debbie Dillon, Philanthropy and Stewardship VP; Connie Wepfer, Membership VP; and Elizabeth Crosby, Secretary. I want to sincerely thank the SVA board members who have served us so well this past year and are coming off the Board: Glenna Schindler (ETM), Susanne Mertens (Meetings & Events), John Malvin(IP), Margaret Lahrmann (One & Done), and Patty Kaplan (Advocacy). I welcome our New Board and Team Leaders for the 2020-21 year: Patty Kaplan (in a new Board position: ETM chair), Jim Schindler (moving from Vice Chair to Chair of IP), Karen Nichols (new IP Vice Chair), Connie Bennett (new One & Done Chair), Terri Ciccolella (new Meetings & Events Vice Chair), and Mark Mittleman (moving from Vice Chair to Chair of Advocacy).

It is an honor to serve you, and I look forward to developing a deeper Camaraderie and Collaboration in the months ahead!

? bient?t,

Phyllis Traub

President
St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association
C: 314-477-3718

SVAPresident@SLSO.org

"It was such a pleasure to be back and see our amazing SLSO. It was the most joy we had felt since March!"

Experience live music with your SLSO once again! Join us at Powell Hall for one hour chamber concerts showcasing the individual talent of SLSO musicians and chamber orchestra performances?with Music Director St?phane Den?ve.?Hear favorites including Mozart and Tchaikovsky alongside the fresh voices of Anna Clyde and Valerie Coleman.?Order by calling 314-534-1700, Monday-Friday 10am-3pm. Please note that orders are limited to two tickets per household.

To learn more about our safety procedures, including our socially distanced seating, and what to expect during your visit, click "What to Expect" below.

Thank you for your continued support and loyalty, and we look forward to seeing you soon at Powell Hall to share the joy of live music.?? ??

Programming is subject to change.

Thank you for all you are doing to inspire your students to remain involved with music while they learn from home. We know this current teaching environment can be challenging and all of us at the SLSO are impressed with the creativity and innovation we've witnessed by so many music educators. To support your efforts in continuing to keep students engaged during distance learning, the SLSO is making several new education resources available. These educator-informed resources meet national and state standards and are family-friendly for at-home learning. We hope you can make use of these resources in your upcoming lesson plans.

Instrument Playground Online
Engaging videos, photos, and activities that introduce students to the instruments of the orchestra and to the SLSO musicians who play them.  

SLSO At-Home Resources
A new collection of hands-on family-friendly activities designed specifically for elementary students. These varied activities explore instruments, movement, stories and nature through iconic orchestral repertoire.  

We cannot wait to welcome you and your students back for in-person education experiences with your SLSO. Plans for 2020/2021 SLSO Education Programs will be announced in mid-May, so please continue to look for our emails.

With best wishes from your colleagues in music education at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will not perform as part of this event.

Dear Joseph,

This year, Giving Tuesday is on December 1. Please help us share the power of music by making a gift this Giving Tuesday to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.?Your support helps us keep music alive and accessible for the St. Louis community.

This year, your SLSO has never been silenced. We have continued to perform online, throughout the community, and in Powell Hall, all thanks to your generous and continued support.

From our SLSO family to yours,?thank you!

To My SVA Family, Bonjour!

In our last News and Notes, I quoted Charles Dickens, so I thought it only fitting to bring this article back to the 21st century by quoting an au courant author. You heard me speak about him when I was installed as president last year. His book sits on my nightstand, and every time I pick it up, I find a new insight. I'm referring to Daniel Coyle 's New York Times?bestseller, The Culture Code (2018). In this very easy-to-read book, Coyle researches totally different groups from Google staff?-?Navy Seals, SNL Night Live to famous New York restauranteur Danny Meyer (St. Louis-born and bred), the NBA's San Antonio Spurs and more?-?and identifies three key skills that these different organizations share in common that make them all strong and vibrant:

1) the ability to build strong bonds ofbelonging and identity
2) the ability to build cooperation by not being afraid to take risks
3) the ability to create a purpose with shared goals and values

I'm obviously simplifying his 247 pages into one paragraph, but I think you get the idea-and no, I'm not a book critic on The New York Times payroll. As I re-read Coyle's book recently, I immediately thought of our own Symphony Volunteer Association. Do we embrace these skills? Do we encourage creativity? Do we take risks? Do we share a common bond and goals? The answer to all these questions is a resounding YES!!

Just look at what the SVA did these past few months: We created a photo montage; we created a Zoom tutorial to help everyone feel comfortable leading committee meetings; our Membership Committee planned and beautifully executed a creative October membership virtual event featuring SLSO staff and musicians; our Ambassadors Committee planned a special tribute for our SLSO musicians; our Picture the Music Chairs spoke about PTM at the Girl Scout virtual "Troop Round Up," and there are many more new activities being planned as I write this article. So I can say with confidence that we "continue to create an environment where innovation flourishes, problems get solved and expectations are exceeded." (Culture Code)

As a matter of fact, the entire SLSO family embraces these skills. Just look at the way in which Jessica Ingraham and Brittney McIntyre (SLSO Education team) have created virtual Express the Music and Picture the Music programs along with our SVA Chairs during this difficult pandemic year. Just look at the many ways our SLSO musicians offered?pop-up concerts throughout the summer, entertaining so many in our community, and now are safely returning to Powell Hall in smaller ensembles. Just look at the ways in which Marie-H?l?ne Bernard and SLSO staff created so many outstanding virtual opportunities to meet musicians, have discussions with St?phane, hear online symphony performances, and stay connected throughout this past year. It's no wonder that the SVA and the SLSO have remained vibrant, creative, and productive during this time. We all share the common goal: to enrich lives through the power of music!

One last thought...

You can certainly tell Thanksgiving is quickly approaching - I practically trip over cans of Libby's pumpkin in every grocery store! Whether you are celebrating the holiday virtually or in person this year, Gary and I want to wish you and your families a wonderful, safe, and meaningful Thanksgiving!

? bient?t

Phyllis Traub

President
St. Louis Symphony Volunteer Association
c: 314-477-3718

SVAPresident@SLSO.org

Dear Joseph,

Thank you for your continued support of your St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

We wanted to share with you the SLSO Songs of America project we launched last week. Featuring SLSO musicians performing moving works that celebrate the breadth of voices in American music, these videos pay tribute to the St. Louis community we all call home.

We are so very proud of these powerful performances, which showcase the spirit that makes St. Louis unique. We extend a special thank you to the community partners who helped make this project possible. And to our SLSO musicians, Music Director St?phane Den?ve, and our remarkable St. Louis artists, thank you for enriching our lives through the power of music.

We are grateful to connect with you through music during these challenging times. On behalf of St?phane and the entire SLSO family, thank you for your continued support. We hope you stay safe and well this summer-we are together in spirit, St. Louis.

With gratitude and warmest wishes,

Marie-H?l?ne Bernard
President & CEO

Register now for Discover Your Instrument, an entertaining and enriching activity with musicians of the SLSO. These live, virtual sessions are an exciting introduction to the instrument families of the orchestra and a great way to inspire your child to discover their love of music. Children in grades K-5 will interact with an SLSO musician and participate along with them as the musician performs. Each 30-minute session is packed with interactive engagement opportunities for children and time to ask questions-all free of charge!

Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register now to save your child's spot for this fun and unique virtual learning opportunity.?

Don't miss out on two incredible opportunities this weekend to hear your St. Louis Symphony Orchestra!

Rebroadcasts of SLSO concerts continue at 8:00pm this Saturday, May 30, on 90.7 KWMU St. Louis Public Radio. Relive the thrilling finale of the 2018/2019 classical season-St?phane Den?ve's final concert before beginning his tenure as SLSO Music Director. Originally broadcast live on May 11, 2019, the concert features the first SLSO performances of Esa-Pekka Salonen's Nyx, mezzo-soprano Rinat Shaham in her SLSO debut singing Ravel's Sh?h?razade, and Berlioz's masterpiece Symphonie fantastique.

Then on Sunday evening, join your SLSO and more than 15 arts organizations across St. Louis for a night of special performances with a virtual benefit: Arts United STL. This inspiring evening of music, theater, dance, and visual art celebrates the artistic diversity of our vibrant community. All proceeds will benefit the RAC Artist Relief Fund in order to support St. Louis working artists whose livelihoods have been interrupted by the global pandemic. The free live broadcast begins at 7:00pm on Sunday, May 31.

Whether your return to school is virtual, blended, or in-person, give your students the opportunity to experience the SLSO's Picture the Music and Express the Music programs. Participation in these high quality, cross-curricular programs is free, and new online modifications offer safe, easy access.

Picture the Music?
Picture the Music?invites students in grades K-6 to discover an orchestral work and respond with paintings or drawings that express creative thought and emotion. This program, integrating art and music, is aligned with both Missouri and Illinois Learning Standards. This season, students will explore "Juba Dance," the third movement of Florence Price's Symphony No. 1 in E minor. Florence Price was the first composer who was a Black woman to have her music performed by a major symphony orchestra. Price's piece offers opportunities for integration with social and emotional learning strategies and age-appropriate introductions to contributions of people of color to American history.?To enter students' artwork into the art competition, submit entries by Wednesday, January 20, 2021.

Express the Music
Express the Music invites students in grades 6-12 to discover an orchestral work and respond with prose or poetry inspired by the music. Express the Music authentically integrates creative writing into the English language arts and fine arts curricula and is aligned with both Missouri and Illinois Learning Standards. This season, students will explore Joan Tower's Made in America. Joan Tower is a Grammy-winning composer of our time whose works have been performed by orchestras around the world. Tower's piece offers opportunities for integration with social and emotional learning strategies?and enables students to explore American history, current events, and how different people explore what it means to be American.?To enter students' poetry or prose into the writing competition, submit entries by Friday, January 22, 2021.? ? ?

See our Teacher''s Guides for ideas on how to integrate these projects with your school''s curriculum.