Guild’s 2004 Annual Meeting offers entertainment, surprises

Sixty-two Guild members and guests, including five past presidents, were entertained May 13 at the Jackson Symphony Guild’s Annual Meeting at The Country Club of Jackson.

Attendees were treated to a tasty luncheon prepared by the club’s chefs, performances by JSO music scholarship winners, an acknowledgment of the 2004 service award winner and a post-luncheon jazz presentation.

Service award given

President Sue Rochester praised Karen Maas as the winner of the 2004 Jenny Spiesberger Distinguished Service Award, saying: “All of us know when Karen says ‘yes’ she follows through and gets the task done.”

Karen Maas’s many Guild activities include:

“One of Karen’s best traits is that even as a seasoned veteran on the Board she is open to new ideas and she is welcoming to new members,” Rochester said. “In fact, Karen has recruited any number of people for both the Board and the Guild.

Young talents perform at meeting

The Jackson Symphony Guild presented four summer music camp scholarships this year to talented area students and three of the recipients performed during the luncheon, accompanied by Robert Badertscher. On French horn, Jaie Woodard played 1st Movement, Mozart Concerto No. 2. Following her was Cammie Finch on violin, playing 3rd Movement, Vivaldi A Minor Concerto. Paul Oliver then performed 1st Movement, Strauss Concerto No. 1 on the French horn.

“It was very exciting to hear the fabulous talent of these young people,” said Maryanne Fuchs, annual meeting co-chair.

Guild donation to JSO

Following the students’ performances, Rochester gave her Presidential Report, stating that the Guild gave more money to the JSO this year than ever before. At the March subscription concert, the Guild presented a check to the JSO for $70,500. The gift includes $65,000 of unrestricted funds, $3,000 earmarked for the Jackson Youth Symphony and $2,500 designated for Summer Music Camp Scholarships. This donation came after many very hard-working Guild members dedicated themselves to the success of this year’s Guild projects.

 Incoming/Outgoing Directors

Assistant Treasurer Elayne Eberhart received an engraved frame as a token of appreciation for all of her years of devotion to the Jackson Symphony Guild as she retired from the board this year to become Director Emeritus. Joyce Phelps also was honored with a second year as Director Emeritus. Sandy Craft, Erin Lingo and Julie Duesing were elected to three-year terms on the Board of Directors. (See accompanying profile of Duesing on Page 4.) Craft and Lingo previously served partial terms due to vacancies. Re-elected to three-year terms were: Pat Beffel Jr., Joan Cummings, Mary McVicker, Donna Riley and Sue Rochester.

Trio entertains after lunch

The jazz trio “Afterthought” concluded the program by entertaining the audience with some popular pieces such as Favorite Things and Take Five in the styles of John Coltrane and Dave Brubeck. The group also performed two original pieces, Out in the Rain and Dreamin’.