Message from the President
Elizabeth Heard
“JOIN IN THE CHORUS!”
Dear Guild Members and Friends of the Guild,
It’s April and that means Greensboro has turned green, with beautiful pops of pink and white everywhere. We are all driving yellow cars and Kleenex is in high demand! It also means that this is my last President’s message (pass the Kleenex).
I am thankful to the Guild veterans and the thirteen rookies who decided to “Join in the Chorus” this year. Since 1964 our mission has been supporting the Symphony’s music education initiatives. Our work helps the GSO bring music to the youth in our community through:
- OrKIDStra – Biweekly music classes and annual chamber concerts for four-year-olds in Head Start across multiple counties.
- Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program – A partnership with UNCG String Education department to bring group string lessons to underserved elementary schools.
- Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra – You may have heard the GSYO Honors Quartet at the Presentation Ball or the Sponsor Appreciation Party.
- School Concerts – Nearly 20,000 elementary and middle school students from five school districts in four counties experience a concert written especially for them at the Tanger Center.
- High School Partnership Program – Features a quintet of GSO principle players who perform for and coach high school orchestras in innovative ways, followed by that school performing prior to a GSO Masterworks concert.
- Community Programs — Includes Caring Sound Pediatric Visits, Ensemble Performances, presentation and more!
You can learn more about these programs by using this link: Youth Programs.
We are very close to achieving our commitment to the GSO of $60,800. You can help us get over the top by participating in Love ‘n Music. We are looking for some more players, since the weather will be beautiful. If you don’t play, come for lunch. And everyone should consider purchasing some raffle tickets, as the prizes are great:
- 18K Gold Roberto Coin Bracelet donated by Guild sponsor Fink’s Jewelers
- Private dinner for 6 donated by Guild sponsor GIA: Drink. Eat. Listen
- A Night at O.Henry Hotel donated by Guild sponsor Quaintance-Weaver
- Party Bus for 4 hours donated by Guild sponsor TMRW Wealth
On May 8 we will have our Year-End Cocktail Party. We will vote-in the new board of directors, who will be led by President-Elect Rhonda Bentz. Our guest speaker will be Caroline Jones, who has been a violist in the GSO for 39 years. Chelsea Tipton, the seventh music director candidate and Page High School alumnus, will attend as well. Details are here: Cocktail Party Details. I hope you can make it!
In 2019 my twins were invited to be debutantes and I was thrilled they accepted. Our family had an experience we will fondly remember. I did not expect to meet a group of such lovely, talented, accomplished people and was surprised I was qualified to join. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to serve as President and thankful to all of you for the support you provided. It is a marvelous organization established by a long legacy of wonderful people dedicated to music education. I will forever be grateful that you welcomed me.
Warm Regards,
2023-2024 President
Greensboro Symphony Guild
Music Matters!
