Friends Committee

 

History and Purpose

May 1953 marked the beginning of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra Women’s Committee (in May 2003 the name was changed to Friends Committee of the ASO). Leah Olson, the founder and first president, started the Women’s Committee as a support group to the then six year old Amherst Symphony. From the beginning, the committee’s purpose has been to support the orchestra by publicizing its concerts, by participating in fund-raising, and by providing hospitality for the musicians, the Association Board and the community

Hospitality

One of the mostpostconcert important commitments to the orchestra is hospitality. Since 1974, an annual dinner has been served to the orchestra members, the Association Board, and the FriendsCommittee Executive Board. Refreshments are provided for the orchestra members at two Monday night rehearsals during the season.
On the day of the concert, between the warm-up rehearsal and the performance, pizza, drinks and dessert are served to the orchestra members. Receptions following the concerts are held to honor the conductor and the soloists.

 

 

Fund-raising


Plant Sale: A plant sale is held from May through October. Coupons are sold at the spring concert and by members to be redeemed at Mischler’s Florists.

Boutique: Many items with musical themes are offered for sale at each concert and at each preview luncheon.

 

 

Scholarship

Since 1986 The Friends (Women’s) Committee has offered a $500 scholarship yearly to a local high school senior entering college with the intent of majoring or double majoring in music. In 1990 the Williamsville Rotary Club matched these funds to bring the award to $1,000. In 2013 the amount is increased to $1,500. A portion of each member’s dues applies to the scholarship. The scholarship audition is held in late February or early March. Our most recent winners are: 2012 - Leonard Ranallo, 2010 - Jilene vanOpdorp, 2009 - Derek Voigt, 2008 - Alina Jeon, 2007 - Alexander Boissonnault, 2006 - Christopher Rogerson, 2005 - David Adamczyk, 2004 - Tea Prokes, 2003 - Matthew Schwartz, 2002 - Lauren Zang, and 2001 - Christina Courtin.  For information, write to Friends Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 1083, Williamsville, NY 14231-1083; contact your school music teacher, or download and print out Requirements Form and Application Form.  The 2013 Scholarship auditions will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2013; Deadline for applications is Friday, January 11, 2013.

Download Application Forms Here 

APPLICATION FORM       REQUIREMENTS FOR3

 

Concert Preview Luncheons

The Friends Committee luncheon offers four preview luncheons for members, family, friends and guests which are held the week preceding each concert. These previews are generally held in a local restaurant or country club and feature the guest artist and our conductor in a short program.

 

 

Friends Committee Members

Executive Board 2011-2012

President Carolyn Dole
President-Elect
1st V-P (Membership) Martha Rasmussen
2nd V-P (Program) Susan Arrigo
3rd V-P (Hospitality) Kathryn Shorey
Recording Secretary Joan Heine
Corresponding Secretary John Sedgwick
Treasurer Sharon Wall

 

Directors

Marion Fay
Kathy Garrison
Dianne Rusch-Richter
 Patti Sacco
Pricilla Sedgwick
Mary Wandling
Carol Weise

 

Past Presidents (Women's Committee)

1953-56 Leah Olson*

1956-58 Carol Juette

1958-60 Eleanor Buschman*

1960-62 Jane Roberts*

1962-64 Bernice Baker

1964-66 Gladys Burnham*

1966-68 Celesta Serio*

1968-70 Ruth Starr*

1970-72 Helen Faxlanger*

1972-74 Pearl Thonpkins*

1974-76 Mary Hemink*

1976-78 Celesta Serio*

1978-80 Carolyn Day

1980-82 Glynda Taylor*

1882-84 Joan Fishburn

1984-86 Marion Fay

1986-88 Priscilla Sedgwick

1988-90 Ruth McDade

1990-92 Donna Steinberg

1992-94 Ernestin Aberle

1994-96 Glynda Taylor*

1996-98 Jean Wood

1998-99 Peg Impey

1999-2001 Audrey Hurd

2001-03 Kathryn Shorey

* Deceased

 

Past Presidents (Friends Committee)

2003-04 Kathryn Shorey

2004-07 Martha Thomas

2007-10 Nancy Wallace

*(Deceased)