Symphony Volunteer Association Provides Major Boost to Music for All Campaign

Formed in the 1920s to “advance the interests of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, stimulate attendance at concerts, further the progress of the children’s concerts, and act as a hospitality committee,” the Symphony Volunteer Association (SVA) has enhanced audience’s concertgoing experience and helped make music accessible for all for over 100 years.

Now, more than a century after its formation, the SVA has made a significant contribution to the SLSO’s Music for All Campaign, the fundraising effort that supports the transformational expansion and renovation of Powell Hall to create the new Jack C. Taylor Music Center.

To demonstrate its support of the SLSO, the SVA organized a fundraising effort, contributing a meaningful and lasting collective gift. The tree-lined pedestrian walkway from the parking lot to the new east entrance as well as the kitchenette in the new musicians’ lounge will be named in the SVA’s honor.

The SVA is the big tent under which a panoply of programs and committees reside. Volunteers put their time and effort behind such varied initiatives as the Picture the Music cross-curricular education program and pre-concert activities for Concerts for Kids. They support the SLSO’s weekday Education Concerts, greet guests at various SLSO events, engage with audiences at community events, support fundraising activities, and serve refreshments at Friday Coffee Concerts.

And that’s just for starters.

“There are so many opportunities for the SVA to get involved: helping guests learn about the venues, helping with education programs, and more,” said Janice Seele, who was President of the SVA from 2015–2017.

When asked what motivates SVA members to volunteer, Seele said, “I think, first and foremost, all of them love the SLSO. And you wouldn’t be involved if you didn’t love classical music. Some people are new to town. Others are invited by friends and that gets them involved. Once people learn about the SVA and come to a meeting, they are instantly welcomed and kind of absorbed by everybody.”

“We have an amazing board full of very qualified people,” added Debbie Dillon, whose two-year term as the current president ran through June 2025. “People come to the SVA from so many different backgrounds. We have musicians, music teachers, people that just love classical music and maybe have been patrons for many years.

“The volunteers are dedicated, smart, and loyal. And the way we’re organized allows us to really respond to the needs of the SLSO.” 

During the expansion and renovation of Powell Hall, those needs increased, or at the very least shifted gears, but the SVA was well-equipped to respond.

“There were a number of new jobs the Symphony needed us for, such as having more shuttle buses that would take patrons to Stifel Theater or to the Touhill Performing Arts Center,” Dillon said. “Meanwhile, other jobs—like the Powell Hall tours—went away for a while. But people stepped up and we were able to redeploy them.”

That kind of adaptability will come in handy when the Jack C. Taylor Music Center, with a renovated Powell Hall, opens in September 2025, given the venue’s many new features that guests will want to discover, including the Education and Learning Center, which will allow for expanded learning opportunities and creativity.