February 2025

The SVA’s “News and Notes” newsletter is a quarterly publication that reviews the previous quarter’s accomplishments and provides a preview of activities to come. Comments and suggestions are welcome at SVACommunications@slso.org. Photo above: Membership VP Suzanne Seibel explains what’s great about the SVA.

Happy New Year, Volunteers! 

As we begin 2025, I want to share things* for which I am grateful and what I am looking forward to this year:

I am grateful for: 

The opportunity to serve the SLSO and the SVA.  

The visionary SLSO Board of Trustees who is leading the SLSO and our community into an exciting future.

The many people in St. Louis and beyond who are generously funding the Jack C. Taylor Music Center.

The very dedicated and tireless SLSO staff with whom we interact to carry out our duties as volunteers. The SVA is very fortunate to be able to work with so many staff members who care about our shared mission, each other, our patrons, and our volunteers.

Our talented musicians, choruses, and artistic leadership, who keep us in awe and coming back for more!

Andrea Biske, our very capable new Volunteer Manager, who fearlessly hit the ground running; she is a fast learner.

The SVA Executive Committee and Board. These two groups of people are amazing—this sounds like a trivial compliment, but they ARE amazing. They are engaged, flexible, ready to serve, and prepared to offer ideas and solutions, keeping the best interests of the SLSO and SVA in mind; they are smart, professional, considerate, and make volunteering so much FUN.

Our Nominating Committee that is currently meeting to nominate a slate of officers and leaders who will take us into next season and beyond: Kent McNeil (chair), Becky Brown, Sue Darcy, Mike Grayson, Patty Kaplan, Debbie Miali, and Connie Wepfer.

* As it turns out my list is long – one grateful thought leads to another.  

I am looking forward to 2025 because: 

Cheers to You! 

Warmest regards, 
Debbie Dillon 
SVA President 

Thank you SVA members for your impressive support of the Music for All Campaign. The SVA members have collectively donated over $400,000.  50+ SVA members have contributed. Your generosity is allowing the SVA to make two named gifts to the SLSO–a tree lined pedestrian walkway between the handicapped parking spaces and the new East entrance, and the kitchenette in the musicians’ lounge. 

Our goal is to have 100% participation from SVA members for this once-in-a-generation renovation and expansion of our historic home. All SVA members who contribute will be listed on the SVA Donor Plaque. The deadline for being named as a SVA participant in support of the Jack C. Taylor Music Center is May 1. 

Please consider donating to this important project. Gifts of all sizes are welcome, and all project donors will be recognized. 

I hope all members of the SVA will be part of the SVA’s gift. If you would like to support this project with any amount, please donate online or contact  

Kristin Lamprecht, 314-286-4131 
Richard Kranes-Rutz, 314-286-4480 
Jaclyn Stewart-Strothmann, 314-286-4190 
Elaine Wichmer, 314-286-4457 

To stay up to date on the renovation and expansion progress, visit https://slso.org/support-us/powell-hall/ 

Many thanks for your generous support and love of the SLSO!  

Andrea Biske is the SLSO’s new Manager of Volunteer Programs (our very own Staff Person)! We asked her to tell us a bit about her history and the goals she seeks to achieve in her new position.

Hello, my wonderful SVA members!  

First, I cannot thank you enough for the warm welcome from the SVA. Everyone has been so helpful answering all my questions about everything that the SVA does, and I have a lot to learn! I had no idea how active and vital the SVA was when I began, and I am more impressed with every event I attend. The SLSO is in great hands with the SVA behind them, helping the youngest of hearts at the education concerts all the way up to those young at heart at the coffee concerts. Your dedication is admirable and appreciated, and they could not do all that they do without YOU. 

It was a long and winding road to get to the SLSO. I come from a very musical family, singing in the church choir from the time I could read. I met my husband in our church choir in college, and we and our three children have been part of the music programs and musical theater at church and at school ever since. I started my career as an engineer, and while I stepped away when the kids were young, during that time I volunteered my time as a soccer coach, directed a community theater musical, and helped with various roles in the theater programs at their schools. I also led the team and volunteers that helped our parish build a new church, moving from our 100+ year old space. This couldn’t have happened without the hundreds of volunteers who used their time, talent, and treasures to create our new parish home, and the understanding that the church is not a building—it is the people.   

What makes the SLSO and SVA so esteemed are its people. We may be out of Powell Hall, but the magic of the SLSO follows the orchestra wherever they are performing. By bringing the music to new people through our travels, hopefully they will experience that feeling of belonging in the SLSO family and follow us back to Powell Hall this September. 

After the church was complete, I worked for nine years in a high school development office, six of those as the director, before deciding to step away. I reached out to the SLSO about a data entry position, but they encouraged me to look at this role, and I am very glad they did! I have only been with the SLSO since the end of October, but I can honestly say this job has been the most fun I have had at work. I have been blown away by the caliber of both my SLSO coworkers and my volunteers I have had the pleasure to work with. They have amazing stories and talents, both individually and as a collective, but music has brought them all together with a singular mission: to enrich lives through the power of music. 

My goal for the SVA is simple: do all I can to help the SVA in their mission to support the SLSO. I will support your executive board and leaders in all of their activities and help keep things running smoothly. I will be your communication line to the SLSO staff to work through any concerns or issues and strive to keep the SVA aligned to the mission of the SLSO as we move back to Powell Hall and needs may change. I will also continue to listen, because I know you have been doing this a lot longer than I have! 

Please reach out to me at any time as I am learning the best way to help you. I look forward to meeting each and every one of you as we work together to support our beloved SLSO. Tell me your story, because as I have already learned: with the SVA you come for the music, but stay for the friendships! 

The new Hospitality Team is looking for members! 

The Hospitality Committee was very busy over the holiday season, delivering treats to the SLSO Chorus before the Requiem concert, to the IN UNISON Chorus before the Gospel Christmas Concert, and to the staff before they left for the holidays. Bakers provided a wide variety of delicious cookies that were wrapped, ribboned, tagged, and delivered to each group to show a little love and appreciation for the work and talent they share throughout the season. The treat bags were made with the contributions of many bakers and the helping hands of a wealth of packagers. Committee members had a great time packaging cookies together (it felt like a party) and then enjoyed a light lunch. As an extra bonus, they also got to eat leftover cookies! 

Contact Janice Seele at seelestl@aol.com or Marjie Smith at smithmrs@sbcglobal.net if interested in joining the Hospitality Team. 

We hope you enjoyed this season’s first Cocktails and Conversation which featured Thomas Jostlein. 

We’re excited to complete our year with two more outstanding guests, so mark your calendars now: 

Both events are held from 5:00-6:00pm on Zoom at no charge, of course. It’s a wonderful way to stay connected to the SVA and meet and greet outstanding SLSO musicians and staff!  Please join us! 

Marilyn Humiston, Team Lead
Phyllis Traub, Team Lead

The New and Prospective Committee is very pleased to introduce our newest SVA members: 

Thanks to the SLSO marketing team and SVA leadership, we now have an updated SVA brochure to distribute to prospective members at events. If your committee would like brochures to hand out at your events, please let us know. We will be happy to send copies to you!

As always, if you have any ideas on how to recruit new SVA members, please contact us at SVANewandProspective@slso.org. We would love to hear from you!

Elizabeth Hahn, Chair
Connie Wepfer, Vice-Chair

The Winter Membership Brunch, scheduled for March 15, 2025, brings with it a unique way to gather, renew longstanding friendships, and welcome the new members who joined during this past year. 

As always, we will experience a superb musical program and yet-to-be announced speaker. We will gather at Greenbriar Hills Country Club, beginning at 10:00am for a meet and greet with brunch starting at 10:30am, followed by the program at 11:05am. Check your email for the registration link. Stay tuned for an email with the announcement and registration coming in February. Also, add June 6, 2025, to your calendar for the Spring Membership Luncheon. 

Kathy Norwood, Chair 
Mark Mittleman, Vice-Chair 

You may have noticed the plethora of wonderful photos that accompany every issue of News and Notes, as well as other SVA communications throughout the year. Kudos go to our crack photography team, led by Pam Belloli. Thanks to Mark Engelhardt (left), Paul Gmerek, Jim Schindler, and our newest (and extremely productive) addition Russ Vanderbeek (right). 

As you may already know, our big 100th SVA Anniversary is coming up in 2025. Nancy Malvin, with assistance from others, has been working on an SVA History Project. The first step was to conduct a series of interviews with past SVA Presidents and other long-term members. It is now time for those interviews to be transcribed, and we need help to listen to the recordings and then type the dialogue. The work will be done from your home with your computer, and Nancy will provide a computer-generated transcript to be used as a starting point. 
 
If you’re interested, and able to type, please contact Nancy at the address below for details of the project. Hopefully your fingers are nimble, and you are ready to help with this assignment. Nancy will be available to help you get started and answer any questions. Her email address is SVAHistory@slso.org. 

Kathryn Snodgrass continues to receive requests and sends cards in sympathy or with well wishes. Anyone in the SVA membership is encouraged to contact Kathryn at SVAEngagement@slso.org, requesting written recognition of a fellow volunteer’s needs or celebrations

Kathryn Snodgrass, Team Lead 

Attention Volunteers! We’ve come up with the perfect formula for a great evening of entertainment: music, laughter, friends and family, food, drinks, and spontaneous singing and dancing. The missing ingredient is…YOU! Please join us for the SVA’s fifth Trivia Night. In the words of one of last year’s guests, “It was the most entertaining trivia night I’ve ever attended!”  

If you haven’t had the chance to attend one of our previous trivia nights, come and see what you’ve been missing. Our “Science of the Symphony” trivia night, featuring returning hosts Mixtape Trivia, promises to be a great way to spend a Saturday night, with ten rounds of ten questions each, silent auction items, and a special raffle.  

Our hosts are curating a program specifically for us, and if it’s anything like programs over the past four trivia nights, we’re in for a real treat! Gather some friends and family and help support the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra by purchasing a table for trivia night. Details can be found at slso.org/yotrivia. See you on March 29th at Shaare Emeth! 

The 2024/25 Coffee Concert Committee served its first cup of coffee and donuts at the SLSO concert on Friday, October 4, at the Touhill. The Coffee Concert team has been a model of flexibility:  

The entire Coffee Committee Concert schedule has been published with volunteers assigned for each concert through the 2024-2025 season. However, additions to the team are always welcome in case of unexpected changes to our volunteers’ schedule availability. Upcoming Coffee Concerts are: 

If you would like to join the Coffee Concert Team, please contact Dave directly as shown below: 

Dave Propper, Team Lead 
Team email:  SVACoffeeConcerts@slso.org  
Mobile phone: 314-225-5167 

PTM continues to work mostly behind the scenes. An orientation for the judges of the artwork was held on Jan 22nd as a Zoom event. The people who have agreed to be judges of the artwork are a great group of artists and art educators. The first real task for the committee (cataloging the submitted art) will not be until later February. 

Mike Darcy, Chair 
Sue Darcy, Vice-Chair 

Although on a hiatus of sorts, the committee is starting to return to action. At the most recent Concert for Kids, a contingent of IP volunteers provided much-needed assistance (photo: Christine Henry) and supervision for the pleasingly large turn-out. 

Harry Moppins, Chair 
Christine Henry, Vice-Chair 

The Youth Orchestra will perform their second concert of the season on February 16, at 3:00pm at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. This is a particularly exciting concert as it is the Side-by-Side concert, with members of the SLSO joining the youth onstage. Tickets are available from the SLSO box office.  

The YO’s final concert of the year will be on May 11, again at the Touhill and at 3:00pm. It’s always amazing to sit in the audience with your eyes closed and realize that despite the glorious sound, the musicians are under the age of 22 and designated as amateurs.   

On February 4^th and 5^th, the Education Hosts traveled to new territory, as we assisted with four Education Concerts at the Scheidegger Center for the Arts in St. Charles. Despite the absence of some of our veterans who were out of town, the team stepped up as usual and helped make the Education Department’s outreach to the community a success. 

If you have never participated in these education concerts, you are encouraged to do so at the next series in the spring. This is your opportunity to light a flame in a future SLSO patron, perhaps even a future SVA member. 

For information about Education Hosts, please contact Team Lead Steve Seele (SVAEduAmbassadors@slso.org). 

The Advocacy Committee was fully geared up for our big day in Jefferson City. We met on Zoom in December, and again in January. On February 5, committee members traveled to the state Capitol to meet with our elected representatives to promote full funding for the SLSO in 2025. Specifically, we pointed out the economic and educational benefits of the Symphony to their constituents. 

Paul Kravitz, Chair 
SVAAdvocacy@slso.org 

The shuttles continue to be very popular. The patrons riding the New Year’s Eve shuttles were all very appreciative of the service. Many asked and hoped it would continue after the return to Powell Hall. This feedback came from riders of both the New Year’s Eve Concert, as well as riders of other classical concerts. I can say in looking at the list and having hosted various times ourselves, these are often season ticket holders who have come to rely on this wonderful service our symphony provides. 

We have seen some very positive changes at the end of December 2024 and are excited to see these going forward into the Spring of 2025. JED has taken our request for better step stools to assist our passengers. While not all buses have them yet, many do. The upcoming major change for the spring season will be the cancellation of the shuttle from Forest Park Community College to Stifel Theatre.   

We have had several new SVA volunteers sign up as shuttle hosts and valet greeters. We urge anyone who would like to participate to sign up. We have an easy list of procedures we are happy to go over and will pair you up with an experienced host, too! We still have open spots for the spring concerts—updates do go out regularly. If anyone is interested, please let us know. Being an Ambassador is a wonderful way to welcome our symphony patrons and thank them for their support! Their ride to the venue and back is a part of their concert experience, and we can make it that much more enjoyable through our role!   

For more information, contact Ambassadors at  SVAAmbassador@SLSO.org. 

Sharongay Pearline, Chair 
Donald Pearline, Vice-Chair 

The following lovely remembrance was written by Marc Gordon for the Chamber Music Society. 

We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Chamber Music Society of St. Louis Board member Mark Mittleman. On Monday, as a group of us, along with our partners from St. Louis University Prison Education, were returning from our annual performance at the Eastern Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center, we received the heartbreaking news that Mark had passed away from a massive heart attack. 
 
Mark was an invaluable member of our organization. As an original Board member, he provided essential legal advice and guidance during CMSSL’s formative years, helping us secure our non-profit status with the IRS. He also served as Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee, where his intelligence, insight, and steadfast dedication were instrumental to our success. 
 
Mark was a truly remarkable individual. His sharp mind, profound knowledge, and deep love of music left an indelible mark on everyone in The Chamber Family. Beyond his contributions to CMSSL, Mark was a respected member of the legal community, a lifelong learner, and a passionate advocate for the arts. He found joy in studying birds and in embracing the beauty of nature. The image you see at the top is the Missouri State Bird, the Eastern Bluebird, information I learned from Mark. 

The CMSSL Board has always been a close-knit group, and Mark’s presence brought a unique warmth to our gatherings. After meetings, he was often the reason we lingered a little longer, cherishing the camaraderie and connection. 
 
Mark’s memory will continue to be a source of comfort and inspiration to his longtime partner Susan, and to all of us. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will always remain a part of The Chamber Family. 

Your General Board consists of the Executive Committee; Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs, who fall under one of the three VPs; and Team Leads, whose groups take on recurring tasks within certain committees. 

All these leaders are available, via their “official” SLSO emails, to welcome you into their committees/teams, answer questions, and generally provide resources to enrich your SVA experience. All Execs, Chairs, and Team Leads have SLSO emails, as listed below. Vice Chairs do not have SLSO an email address but are listed below for completeness.

Exec Committee

Membership Committees

Education Committees

Philanthropy & Stewardship Committees

Team Leads