November, 2022

As volunteers, we love helping the SLSO enrich lives through the power of music. We also welcome the opportunity to bring joy to patrons, donors, children, musicians, staff, and fellow volunteers. We recently received a lovely note from Jonathan and Beth Chu expressing the joy felt by the musicians as they arrived back at Powell Hall for their first rehearsals of the season. Ten of our volunteers were there to greet musicians, with five stationed at the Delmar entrance and five at the south parking lot stage door. Balloons, placards, and the SVA’s trademark feature big smiles created a festive atmosphere. We made sure the musicians had sustenance for the rehearsal by handing each of them a Hershey’s Symphony chocolate bar.

Our talents at spreading joy were called upon again as we hosted the Surprise and Delight table in the Wightman Grand Foyer. First-time concert attendees received a gift and a schedule of future concerts. We chatted with them and felt their joy at receiving such a warm welcome to our beautiful concert hall.

We can’t wait to welcome children through Picture the Music and Express the Music, and to see their joy as they look up at the splendor of Powell Hall. They love posing for pictures with their family and friends. We are also looking forward to resuming our Family Concerts and exposing our youngest patrons to beautiful music in a wondrous setting.

This past summer, our joy was evident during our first ice cream social. It was so much fun to reconnect with our fellow volunteers and to meet so many new ones. We will try that again next summer and hope that the weather will be as perfect.

We will have many opportunities to create and experience joy this coming season. The holiday concerts are always a joyous occasion. We will have opportunities to get to know the newest members of the SLSO family, including new musicians as well as several new SLSO staff members who attended our September board meeting. We are looking forward to a special Membership Meeting on October 13, 2022: we’ll hear the talented Jennifer Nitchman’s lovely flute and vivacious new staff member Rochelle Calhoun share with us her contributions to the Philanthropy team. I’m looking forward to another season in which we create joy for many, and hope you are, too!

Kent McNeil

Rochelle Calhoun is the SLSO’s new Manager of Sponsorships and Corporate Relations. We asked her to tell us a bit about her history with the SLSO and the goals she seeks to achieve in her new position.

My experience with the SLSO began in the Green Room of Powell Hall, with my audition for the IN UNISON Chorus. After a 15-year vocal hiatus, and upon the suggestion of my best friend, I had decided to see if I could once again perform the choral music that shaped my youth. When the day came, I entered Powell Hall through the Delmar entrance and was greeted by the warm smile of Susan Patterson, the manager of both choruses. I was prepared, yet nervous; hopeful my years of training wouldn’t fail me. 

The moment I heard the first note, every fear I had washed away, leaving nothing but a familiar joy. It was an out-of-body experience. To my delight, Kevin McBeth, IN UNISON Chorus Director, invited me to join the chorus. Three days later, I was on the stage for my first rehearsal, breathless with excitement. I remember it like it was yesterday, even though it’s now been 12 years.  

“To enrich lives through the power of music” is our mission here at the SLSO. That resonates with me because I know its unique impact firsthand. Nothing educates, motivates, stimulates, and shapes quite like music. Since childhood I have learned languages, been introduced to cultures, traveled back in time, and seen the world all courtesy of music. Sharing that powerful gift with the St. Louis region is very special to me.  

While music has always been a love, until now it was not part of my professional journey. Instead, I chose a career in sales management, specifically in hospitality and retail. At first glance, my experience may seem very broad, but each industry shares a common thread, an emphasis on providing service. Building relationships and enhancing personal experiences are two things I am passionate about.I bring these strengths to my role as Manager of Sponsorships and Corporate Relations. Whether through corporate hospitality, employee engagement, or program support, inviting corporations throughout the region to partner with the SLSO and our mission has given me the ability to combine my love of music with my love of service.  

I am looking forward to working with the SVA on increasing corporate employee engagement through volunteerism. The dedication each member has to the SLSO is nothing short of impressive! From greeting musicians at the beginning of the season, welcoming busloads of students (regardless of the weather), to serving thousands of donuts during our Coffee Concerts, your dedication is incredible! Decades of experience as servant leaders waiting to be shared with our corporate volunteers—it’s going to be magic. 

Long-time member and enthusiastic Instrument Playground leader Jim Dodds passed away recently. Jim Schindler shares a tribute:  

Having been out of town for almost two weeks…upon return I called Instrument Playground Chair Karen Nichols just to touch base. I was devastated by the news of Jim Dodds’ sudden death.  

When Glenna and I joined the SVA, and the Instrument Playground Committee, Jim Dodds and Jeff Kaplan were trading places as Instrument Playground Chair and Co-Chair (as Karen and I just did this past May). Jim was a very dedicated member, even to a fault. He kept many of the tasks associated with leading Instrument Playground to himself. He kept bags of instruments at his home and transported them to and from events both at schools and Powell Hall. Even though he associated himself with the brass instruments for Instrument Playground, having taught himself to play trumpet, his primary instrument was actually the clarinet and would often bring his personal clarinet to events just in case we needed an extra. And it was Jim who put me on to the St. Louis School of Music as a potential recipient, and re-distributor, of the excess instruments. (And on a personal note, I not long ago learned that he had taught my nephew science at Priory High School.) 

Dick Fister, age 90, of Richmond Heights, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Sunday, September 11.  

He married the love of his life, Virginia “Ginny” Mae Pecher(former SVA President) on August 21, 1954, in Jefferson City, and they shared 68 wonderful years together. His obituary can be found at the end of this issue of News and Notes. 

It’s nice to see activities returning to Powell Hall! Familiar faces are reappearing at concerts and SVA events. Equally exciting is the recent influx of new SVA members, many of them already stepping up to work at the Coffee Concert and in the Boutique. If you cross paths with someone you do not recognize, put on your best smile and make sure they know how happy you are to meet them and include them in the SVA family.

To celebrate our return to action, the SVA held our first ice cream social in late August to welcome our members, new and old, to the new season and to re-acquaint them with the many opportunities available for volunteering. The photo shows our president Kent McNeil acrobatically addressing the gathering. 

 A friendly reminder: SVA name badges (old and new) are awaiting pickup in the Boutique. Just ask the volunteer behind the counter to retrieve your badge for you the next time you are in Powell Hall. 

Speaking of name badges, please wear your name badge when attending a concert or event as a patron. These are opportunities to meet and reach out to potential new members and that name badge helps start the process.

Meetings and Events 
The Fall Membership Meeting was held October 13 at the Frontenac Hilton. The musical guest was SLSO flutist Jennifer Nitchman and the speaker was Rochelle Calhoun, Manager of Sponsorships and Corporate Relations. Jennifer’s performance was absolutely superb and Rochelle’s presentation was informative, providing a deeper look into the operations of the Philanthropy team. Sixty-three people attended the event including several from the SLSO staff, their company always being welcome and enjoyable. The new SVA directory was made available that evening along with unclaimed name badges. (If you missed this event, you may claim your directory and/or name badge in the Boutique at Powell Hall.) The next event will be the March Brunch Meeting. Please check your emails beginning in early February 2023 for details on this event. 

Membership Directory Available Now:  

The new 2022/2023 Membership Directory is available in printed form for pick-up at the Powell Hall Boutique (when open). One directory per Volunteer please.  

In the interest of making sure that we can keep you up to date on the activities of both the SVA and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, please let us know any changes to your contact information—new home address, email address, phone number, etc. A simple email to SVADirectory@slso.org will do. 

New and Prospective:  
As we gear up for our 2022/2023 season, we are very proud to introduce you to our newest SVA members: Charlie Lillis, Kim Cooper, Sam Scriba, Judy Ludwig, Peggy and Rick Strelinger, Will Armstrong, Nancy Decker, Kathleen Braun, and Amy Jensen! When you see them at events, concerts, and committee meetings, please extend a warm welcome. 

Although we will continue to meet and greet at some upcoming open rehearsals and Coffee Concerts, we firmly believe that the best way to bring in new members is through YOUR PERSONAL CONTACT! So please reach out to your friends, co-workers, and people you know who share your love for music. If they want more information, they can simply go to the SVA page on the SLSO website (SLSO.org/SVA), fill out some basic contact information, and we will take it from there—as my grandkids say, “easy peasy!” 

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!  

Phyllis Traub, Chair 
Marilyn Humiston, Vice Chair 
New and Prospective Membership Committee 

Pick and Choose: 

As many of you may already know, the One and Done committee has been renamed to“Pick and Choose”. Why, you ask? One and Done had a deceptive finality to it, as if to say “do ONE job and you are done.” Everyone with the SVA knows that that is far from the truth. The work of the SVA and the SLSO is never done! So with that being said, feel free to pick and choose many different jobs that Karen Silsby’s committee offers, especially as the holiday season approaches with all of its many opportunities. 

As you may already know, our big 100th SVA Anniversary is coming up in 2025. Nancy Malvin and Vi Steinmeyer, with assistance from others, have been working on an SVA History Project. Their 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 they need help to listen to the recordings and then type the dialogue. The work will be done from your home with your computer, and they 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 limber 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. 
 

Coffee Concerts: 

The Coffee Concert committee is off to a great start to the new season! On October 7, we served donuts to a very excited group of patrons. How appreciative they were! We heard more than one time—we love the donuts, and it is really good to get back to pre-covid days. Thanks to our super motivated team and some new volunteers who jumped right in, we are fully staffed for each concert the remainder of the season. 

For further information about SVA Coffee Concert activities please contact Team Leads Milly Neff and Doug Neff (pictured in the photo, left) at SVACoffeeConcerts@slso.org. 

Express the Music:  
The Express the Music Award Ceremony will be held on March 19, 2023, in conjunction with a Youth Orchestra performance. This year’s music to be used to inspire middle and high school students to write creative poems and prose is “The Great Gate at Kiev” from Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. 

(Let your mouse hover over the above link and you will see instructions to open the link by pushing CTL and double left clicking on the link. You will have an opportunity to skip the ads that first pop up.) 

This dramatic and beautiful piece of music should yield many outstanding poems and prose. 

Over the past few weeks, the Express the Music Committee has been updating the teacher database. There is a teachers’ guide on the SLSO website, under Volunteers, if you would like to review or share more details on the program. 

We are also looking for readers. Each submission will be read by two initial readers on February 4 and 5, in the comfort of the readers’ own homes. Individual scores from each reader will be averaged and the top-scoring submissions will be reviewed by literary experts. 

The students, teachers, and our readers always enjoy this program—let’s support our youth’s creative efforts and emotional expressions! 

Let Lynda Lieberman (lynda1950@att.net) or Connie Wepfer (cwepfer@sbcglobal.net) know if you can assist with reading or if you know someone who would like to participate.

Picture the Music:
Picture the Music is engaging our local elementary schools in St Louis through a special marketing brochure highlighting some of our 2022 St Louis Public School Picture the Music Top 100 winners. We hope to encourage more of our city and county schools to participate in 2023 and to expose their students to the creative process of listening to and interpreting orchestral music. This year, Picture the Music has chosen “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity” from Gustav Holst’s The Planets. We are excited to be partnering with The St Louis Science Center McDonnell Planetarium to offer teachers, students and families cross-curricular ways to enjoy Holst’s “Jupiter” and the planets in our night sky. 

Instrument Playground: 
Although Instrument Playground ‘s activities are still limited by COVID restrictions, volunteers assisted at the Family Concert on October 9.Volunteers helped guide the crowd of kids and families as the Youth Orchestra musicians demonstrated their instruments to the concert-goers. 

Powell Hall Tours:  
The Powell Hall Tours team will resume its activity with Education tours for school children following the concerts on November 2 and 3, 2022, and again on February 21 and 22, 2023.  

New Tours members that have expressed an interest in participating will be assigned as “shadows” with experienced guides. We have also received requests for public tours by three groups so far, but are awaiting word from the Powell Hall staff on whether these can be accommodated. 

For further information about SVA Powell Hall Tours, please contact Team Lead Becky Brown (SVATours@slso.org). 

Youth Orchestra: 
The SLSO Youth Orchestra will open its 53rd season on Sunday, November 13, at 3:00 pm, in Powell Hall with guest conductor Norman Huynh. 

Please join us for an afternoon of music as our talented young musicians perform four classic pieces: 

EMMANUEL CHABRIER España  
ANTONĺN DVOŘÁK Suite in A major, op. 98 b, “American”  
ELENA KATS-CHERNIN Dance of the Paper Umbrellas  
IGOR STRAVINSKY The Firebird Suite (1919 version)  

Orchestra tickets are free.Dress Circle and Grand Circle tickets are $10.All tickets may be reserved and purchased online, by phone, or at the Box Office. 
Volunteers may also show their support of the Youth Orchestra by assisting with orientation, pre-concert meals for YO musicians, auditions, and various performance-related activities as requested by the Youth Orchestra Manager. Volunteers receive complimentary tickets when volunteering at YO concerts.  
For further information about Youth Orchestra and volunteering, please contact SVA Team Leader Stephanie Randall (SVAYouthOrchestra@slso.org).  
For further information about Youth Orchestra, please contact Group Leader Stephanie Randall (SVAYouthOrchestra@slso.org). 

Best Regards, 

Stephanie Randall  
SVA YO Lead 

Trivia Night 
The SVA will be hosting a “Rockin’ Road Trip” Trivia Night spanning various genres of US geographic culture trivia, based on the success of our February 2020 event!The date is Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Congregation ShaareEmeth (same location as in 2020) in Creve Coeur, with the same great band, Mixtape, Trivia, serving as our musical master of ceremonies.This event is a major SVA FUNdraiser to support our St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.There will be 30 tables, seating 10 each.For the 2023 “Rockin’ Road Trip” Trivia Night, we will only be selling whole tables.The format will be similar to the 2020 event with silent auction tables, a live auction, 50/50 raffle tickets, attendance prices, 10 mulligans available for purchase, cash prizes for the first and second place winners, beverages provided, and great fun—all for an incredibly worthy cause.  

Start getting your friends together now—with only 30 tables, tables will go fast!Strategically, you may want to assemble a team with a diversity of ages and interests!

Here’s how you can help: 

Spread the word and encourage family and friends to form a table *** Collect silent and live auction items *** Create auction baskets *** Reach out to businesses for door prizes *** Help work the night of the auction 

Stay tuned for details, and feel free to contact Lynda Lieberman, Trivia Night Chair, at (314)-960-4366 or YOTrivia@slso.org, with any questions, suggestions, or offers to volunteer. 

Photos, below, from Trivia Night, 2020. 

Education Hosts 
Education Concerts were back in full force at Powell Hall on November 2 and 3! For the first time since February 2020 (and we all recall what happened shortly thereafter) we returned to four concerts over two days. Plenty of energetic and smiling ambassadors greeted children and their teachers. While we always hope for warm temperatures and sunny skies, it’s a great experience whatever the weather as thousands of children brighten any day. 

For further information about Education Hosts, please contact Group Leader Steve Seele (SVAEduAmbassadors@slso.org).

Group Hosts 
For 2022/2023, the SLSO has scheduled four Coffee Concerts on Friday mornings and four Coffee Concerts on Saturday mornings. Volunteers on this committee will greet buses of patrons arriving for the eight morning Coffee Concerts and the matinee holiday concert in December.  

Additional volunteers are needed as we prepare for a full season of Coffee Concerts and the afternoon holiday concert. Volunteers receive a complimentary ticket for the concert they host.  

For further information about SVA Group Host activities please contact team Leas Susanne Mertens (SVAGroupHosts@slso.org), Sherry Moschner (spmoschner@gmail.com) or Debbie Eldridge Miali (deldridgemiali@gmail.com).  

Advocacy 

The Advocacy Team works with the SLSO staff and the Missouri Citizens for the Arts to ensure that our state government supports the arts to the fullest extent possible. This is done by contacting our state legislators, participating in organized lobbying efforts, and supporting arts funding legislation. Your voice matters.  

Thanks to Mark Mittleman for leading Advocacy for the past two years, and welcome to Mike Grayson (photo, with Santa), our new Team Lead.

Join the Advocacy Team! Contact: SVAAdvocacy@slso.org. 

Ambassadors

The Ambassadors committee did a wonderful job of helping with the Forest Park Concert. Over 15 members helped welcome the concert goers. We followed this by greeting the musicians at their first rehearsal. 

Surprise and Delight has started the season with the first concert. We like to have two people staff the welcome table and there are many unfilled opportunities. Please let us know if you would like to help! No ticket to the concert needed, we will provide one. Contact Judy Brown at 314-503-7622 or SVAAmbassador@slso.org 

Boutique 
Things are going smoothly in the new concert season selling merchandise from the Boutique. Our refresher training in early September was well attended, as we added five more volunteers to our committee. We have a few more items for sale and are waiting for another shipment of additional items in the very near future. Scarves and jewelry are selling well, and the demand for the miniature instruments continues to be strong. We anticipate more of the composer magnets to be delivered soon, as the magnets are always a good seller. 

Margaret and I express our sincere thanks to all the Boutique volunteers for all that they do. Their dedication is very much appreciated. 

Here is Boutique volunteer Donald Pearline’s reaction after working in the Boutique: 

“It was our pleasure to be able to sell the merchandise and help patrons enjoy the experience of the SLSO. I think people enjoy the interaction and a chance to buy something that will remind them of the program and help the SLSO. Couples can be very receptive to showing their love by giving a special small gift. Also, patrons with musical talent or experience enjoy having a miniature of the instruments that they have worked so hard to master. We had one couple from Arkansas who were attending because their son had was a substitute horn player. And, of course, they had to have a miniature French Horn.I only wish we had more merchandise available. 
 

———————————————————————————————– 

Richard ‘Dick’ Edward, Sr. 
Age 90, of Richmond Heights, MO, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Sunday, September 11, in St. Louis. 

He married the love of his life, Virginia Mae Pecher on August 21, 1954, in Jefferson City, and they shared 68 wonderful years together. He was born on October 1, 1931, in New York City. 

In addition to his wife, Virginia, Richard is survived by his children Richard, Jr. (Mimi), Jeffrey (Laura), Julia and Amalia (Paul); his sister Agnes Cecelia Hughes and his daughter-in-law Laurie Clithero (Michael). He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bertram and Agnes; his son Patrick; and his brother Bertram. 

He graduated from St. Louis University with a Law degree (1955) and started a career in banking, eventually becoming president of Continental Bank and Trust and later Tower Grove Bank (now Commerce). In 1977, he left banking to become Assistant to the President at St. Louis University and to teach finance in the business school. 

In 1981, he founded Fister & Associates, an investment bank and consulting firm that he owned and managed until his death. He founded Virginia Broadcasting Corporation in 1974, which included six small-market radio stations and eventually the West End Word newspaper. 

He was active in the community, serving as the President of the Board of Governors at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and President of the Board of Logos School. 

He was a longtime parishioner of Immacolata Catholic Parish and member of the Carmel of St. Joseph (Carmelite Monastery.) 

Throughout his life he mentored countless people in business. He had a great fondness for beaches, jazz, dancing, Thomas Jefferson, and all things Irish. He was an optimist and had great belief in human potential; he liked to say a tough experience “builds character.” He also had a deep faith and he wished everyone “peace and love.” 

The family of Richard E. Fister, Sr., suggest that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to the Carmel of St. Joseph, 9150 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, MO 63124.