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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 Edition 2025
Kellie Sullivan, Volunteer Notes Editor | Sullivanaxid@aol.com
In This Issue
Volunteer Council President's Message
2025 League National Conference
Congratulations to the Gold Award Winners
Congratulations to the Classic Award Winners
2024-2025 League Volunteer Council
Volunteer Council President's Message
Kathy Leibrand, President 2024-2025
Happy 2025!
As we round the corner into 2025, the League's Volunteer Council is fully immersed in the preparations for the League of American Orchestras 80th National Conference in Salt Lake City. The Volunteer Council is planning a full schedule of award presentations, speakers, and interactive sessions as we come together in June for three days of networking with fellow volunteers from around the country.
Over the next several months, the Volunteer Council will be hard at work organizing constituency sessions and preparing the awards program. We hope to provide engaging presentations, relevant to a changing dynamic in volunteerism with networking opportunities to share new ideas and best practices.
Be part of this volunteer experience as you enjoy an evening with the Utah Symphony at Maurice Abravanel Hall followed by the traditional Tune-Up Party. Connect with your peers at the many Conference events provided by the League.
Mark your calendars and join the Volunteer Council in Salt Lake City for the League’s 80th National Conference on June 11-13, 2025. Be sure to read about the constituency meeting plans in this issue of the Volunteer Notes.
We look forward to seeing you.
2025 League National Conference
June 11-13, 2025
by Maggie Stehman, Conference Chair 2024-2025
Connect with your fellow volunteers at the League's 80th National Conference, June 11-13, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The League’s Volunteer Council is planning a variety of sessions that give orchestra volunteers a range of opportunities to learn and share with each other. The Volunteer Council is well along with our planning, and we are excited to share some highlights.
On Tuesday evening June 10, volunteers can join Conference attendees by registering for the optional Eden Festival event, which includes dinner and an immersive concert in a beautiful natural setting. This will be an excellent opportunity to meet up with friends new and old from across the country.
Our Volunteer constituency sessions begin Wednesday morning, June 11 with Gold Award of Excellence Presentations honoring best in class projects and initiatives that have made a significant impact on their orchestras. This year’s re-configured presentations will feature varied formats that encourage interaction among presenters and with attendees. On Thursday morning, June 12, our presenters will be honored at the Awards Ceremony and Coffee Celebration.
The Volunteer constituency agenda also includes a Critical Conversation session open to all Conference delegates, titled "From the Ground Up, Reimagining the Perfect Volunteer Group" that will spotlight the possibilities for volunteer organizations in support of their orchestras. Volunteers won’t want to miss this thought-provoking session. Our Volunteer constituency meetings include networking and interactive sessions where we discuss issues, identify opportunities, and develop problem-solving solutions that can be adapted to our local organizations.
Beyond our constituency agenda, volunteers will participate in the broader League Conference. The opening general session will feature the Utah Youth Philharmonic and Utah Youth Symphony and Music Director and Conductor Barbara Scowcroft, performing two world premieres by Brazilian-American composer and pianist Clarice Assad and American composer and conductor Quinn Mason. The opening keynote address will be given by American soprano Renée Fleming, a leading advocate for the study of the powerful connection between art and health. Hear the Utah Symphony led by Music Director Emeritus Thierry Fischer on Thursday, June 12 at Maurice Abravanel Hall, one of the nation’s premiere concert venues. Violinist Clara-Jumi Kang will make her Utah Symphony debut with the Korngold Violin Concerto. The ever-popular Tune-Up party will follow the Concert.
Registration for volunteers is $550. This year the group rate for 2+ volunteers, who can be from different volunteer organizations, is $455 and is available by contacting Member Services (member@americanorchestras.org). Visit our website for registration, more Conference details and hotel information. See you in Salt Lake City, June 11-13, 2025!
Congratulations to the Gold Award Winners
The Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras awarded five Gold Awards of Excellence. Read below to learn more about these award-winning programs.
“City of Annapolis Christmas Tree”
Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
Ann Tran, President
The City of Annapolis Christmas Tree decoration project was an opportunity for the ASO and FASO to form partnerships within the community and to increase knowledge of the orchestra. Every year, thousands of people from Maryland and beyond view the imposing tree.
“Savor the Symphony”
Dallas Symphony Orchestra League
Nancy Labadie, President
Who doesn’t like food, wine, and music? The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League combined these three to create a memorable evening of Magic, Music, and Friends, to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The event brought renewed attention to the Education and Outreach programs by highlighting the Young Strings musicians at the patron party and actual event.
“Engaging Membership for Retention”
Houston Symphony League
Heidi Rockecharlie, President
We learned that analyzing trends to find existing gaps in retention was key and, through that exercise, we found new and more effective ways to engage members. We will continue using these retention processes as they have proven to be successful. We had a 90% renewal rate for all members and a 75% renewal rate for new members.
“New York, New York – the ISO Gala”
Illinois Symphony Orchestra Guild of Bloomington-Normal
Peggy Hundley, President
The "New York, New York Gala" was a celebration of all things New York and a long-time supporter of the orchestra. Whether it was a result of the nod to Broadway, Frank Sinatra, or the fondness for our celebrated guest of honor, this gala was the most successful we have ever had. It was a success not only in terms of the amount of money raised (more than $100,000), but also for fun the guests had.
“Take Me Out to the Symphony”
Illinois Symphony Orchestra Guild of Bloomington-Normal
Peggy Hundley, President
"Take Me Out to the Symphony" was the theme for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra’s 2024 Concerts for Kids. The narration between each piece emphasizing the sports theme and the way in which parallels were drawn between athletes and musicians made the concert unique.
We learned that the two primary challenges to attendance were the small admission fee and cost of busing. We found ways to cover these costs, so 2,200 students attended the concerts free of charge.
Congratulations to the Classic Award Winners
“Charleston Designer Showhouse – IMAGINE!”
Charleston Symphony Orchestra League
Gail Corvette, President
The Designer Showhouse has been a signature fundraising event for the CSOL for 43 years. The CSOL had not intended to present another Designer Showhouse following the Pandemic.
In January 2023, a longtime Charleston resident & CSO supporter offered his under-renovation home, recognizing the unique project would be of interest to the public and a significant fundraiser for the symphony. This brought new energy to the CSOL and further reach into the community.
“Richmond 19th Designer House – The Taylor Estate”
Richmond Symphony League
Joanne Barreca, President
The Taylor Estate was built in 1915 and comprises over 12,000 square feet of space. It occupies four addresses and includes a garden designed by renowned landscape artist Charles Gillette that was restored. All of our Designer House projects are open to the public. We have hosted in homes or buildings in every county in the area and in the City of Richmond.
As Covid impacted our ability to host a 2020 Designer House, we concentrated on updating our online capabilities to take payments for all events and communicate through our website. For the 2023 Designer House, we automated all online credit card purchases for daily tickets and special events through our website. We had very little cash that had to be handled and it was a safer and more secure method of processing payments.
Volunteer Association News
We want to hear about the fun and exciting events your organization has been involved in recently! Whether you’ve organized a book club, celebrated a special milestone with a banquet, or simply come together for a great dinner, we’d love to know about it! Share your story with us, and we'll feature it in the next section of the Volunteer Notes.
Please send us a picture and a brief description of your event to Kellie Sullivan at Sullivanaxid@aol.com.
We can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to!
Here are some recent news and events from the Volunteer Council’s home associations:
Gowns and Bows Take Center Stage at the 39th Annual Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Presentation Ball
Elegance and tradition were in perfect harmony as 44 Symphony Debutantes took their bows at the 39th Annual Dallas Symphony Orchestra League (DSOL) Presentation Ball on Saturday, February 15, at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. The evening was a grand celebration of culture, family, and philanthropy, as the 2025 Debutantes graced the stage alongside their families and members of the Honor Guard. Following the formal presentation, the Debutantes and Honor Guard assembled on stage for a final tribute to their Presentation Season. The debutantes then joined their fathers on the dance floor for the cherished Grand Waltz, a moment of elegance and sentiment. A formal seated dinner and dancing concluded the unforgettable evening.
In attendance were Michelle Miller Burns, new Ross Perot President and CEO of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) with her husband Gary Burns, along with Roger Gault, new Chairman of the Board of the Dallas Symphony Association (DSA) Board of Governors with his wife Marena Gault.
On December 14, the Houston Symphony League Volunteers played a key role in supporting the "Photos with Santa" activity during the Houston Symphony's "Holly Jolly Holiday" Family Concert. The event was led by Donna Mello, Vice President of Arrangements for the Houston Symphony League. Volunteers helped create a festive atmosphere and ensured the success of this holiday activity, where attendees had the opportunity to take photos with Santa. The event combined holiday cheer with the magic of music, making it a memorable experience for families.
The Kansas City Symphony Alliance had a delightful time at their annual Holiday Luncheon, especially with the special performance by Megan Hanna, the Symphony's Director of Philanthropy, and her husband David. Having Symphony staff members perform at the event added an extra touch of excitement, as we don’t usually hear the staff perform and reminded us how many talented musicians are in the offices. It was a memorable occasion for everyone in attendance!
On Saturday, November 23, the Quad Cities Volunteers for Symphony, along with musicians, staff, and Board members, represented the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra in the "Festival of Trees Parade." A fun time was had by all! The parade was broadcast live on KWQC, announcing the kickoff of the Car Raffle.
2024-2025 LEAGUE VOLUNTEER COUNCIL
Our Mission
The League of American Orchestras’ Volunteer Council leads, advocates, and champions volunteer organizations in their efforts to support orchestras to advance the experience of orchestral music.
Leadership Committee
- Darlene Clark, President-Elect (Houston, TX)
- Kathy Leibrand, President (Kansas City, MO)
- Paula McReynolds, Conference Chair-Elect (Waco, TX)
- Laurie Skjerseth, Immediate Past President (Venice, Florida)
- Maggie Stehman, Conference Chair (Washington, D.C.)
Members
- Paula Abernethy (Annapolis, MD)
- Julie Brantley (Richmond, VA)
- Marena Gault (Dallas, TX)
- Charlotte Lewis (New Orleans, LA)
- Florence Mc Lean (Baltimore, MD)
- Kent McNeil (St. Louis, MO)
- Irene Sohm (Santa Rosa, CA)
- Kellie Sullivan (Kansas City, MO)
Ex-Officio Members
- Melanie Hausmann, Houston, TX | League Liaison
- Debbie McKinney, Nichols Hills, OK | Sustainer Liaison-Elect
- Becky Odland, Edina, MN | Sustainer Liaison
- Venise Stuart, Dallas, TX | Association of Major Symphony Orchestra Volunteers (AMSOV) Liaison
- Mary Lou Turner, Kansas City, MO | Sustainer Mentoring Program
- Simon Woods, League of American Orchestras | President & CEO