Friends Committee
By 1952 the need for a Women’s Committee to assist the Association Board of Directors became apparent. Mrs. Albert Olson and Mrs. Loyal Murphy went to the American Symphony League Convention in June. Upon their return, they invited presidents of the women’s clubs in Amherst to a meeting. Thereupon the Amherst Symphony Women’s Committee was formed. Mrs. Olson was elected it first president. From the beginning, the Committee’s purpose has been to support the orchestra through Concert Preview Luncheons, an Annual Plant Sale fundraiser, a Music Scholarship, a light supper for musicians prior to each concert performance and other hospitality events.
Friends of the ASO Executive Board
Mitzie S. Serafin,
Friends Committee President
OFFICERS:
President
Mitzie S. Serafin
President- Elect
Open
1st Vice President (Membership)
Martha Rasmussen
2nd Vice President (Hospitality)
Priscilla Sedgwick
Secretary (Acting)
Claudia Staines
Treasurer
Sharon Wall
Historian
Patricia Huttenlocker
DIRECTORS & CHAIRS:
Communications
Sima Lewis & John Sedgwick
Newsletter
Priscilla Sedgwick
Nominating
Open
Photographer
Susan Grelick
Plant Sale
Priscilla Sedgwick
Preview Luncheons
Judy Bacon
Mary Bullions
Jane Cary
Publicity (Website)
Susan Arrigo
Rep. Bflo. Fed. Women’s Clubs
Joan Weichmann
Roster
Martha Rasmussen & Sharon Wall
Scholarship Representatives
Richard & Diane Wojtowicz
Spring Scholarship Luncheon
Claudia Staines
Sunshine
Kathy Garrison
Want to become a volunteer member of the Friends Committee?
Membership is open to anyone interested in supporting the work of the Friends Committee. Dues are $25 per concert season. Please download, print and fill out this application and mail with your dues.
Mail to:
Friends Committee Membership
P.O. Box 1083 • Williamsville, NY 14231-1083
Hospitality
An annual holiday cookie reception is held for the audience, as well the orchestra and guest artists.
Concert Preview Luncheons
Proceeding each concert, Preview Luncheons are held for members, families, friends and guests. These lunches are generally held at a restaurant or country club and feature the Guest Artist and Conductor in a short program.
Click the “Reservation Form” button below to learn more about our upcoming luncheon.
Click the Gallery button below to see photos from our previous luncheon.
Plant Sale
Each year we have sold coupons to be redeemed at Mischler's Florists & Greenhouses for a wonderful assortment of annuals, perennials, geraniums, hanging baskets and patio pots.
Scholarships
FASO/Williamsville Rotary Club Scholarship
Since 1986, the Friends Committee has offered an annual scholarship and in 1990, the Williamsville Rotary Club became a partner in this project. A portion of each member’s dues applies to the scholarship.
Audrey C. Hurd String Scholarship
A dedicated volunteer of the Amherst Symphony Orchestra, as a musician, Association Board Director and Women’s Committee Past-President, the ASO is privileged to have Audrey Hurd’s family honor her with this Annual $3000 String Scholarship.
Scholarship Winners
2007 - Alex Boissonnault
2008 - Alina Jeon
2009 - Derek Voigt
2010 - Jilene vanOpdorp
2011 - Sarah Lewandowski
2012 - Leonard Ranallo
2013 - Jonathan Young
2014 - Duo Xo
2015 - Mandela Namaste
2016 - Ian Shaw
2017 - Drew Cone
2018 - Harue Suzuki
2019 - Matthew Cone
2020 - Benjamin Mekinulov
2021 - Emily Xo
2022 - Paige Krebs
2023 - Alex Weber
