JACKSON SYMPHONY GUILD
The Jackson Symphony Guild functions exclusively for the benefit of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. This dynamic group of volunteer works together to raise funds to support the JSO. In past years our contributions totaled to 9% of the JSO operating budget.
The Guild is managed by a 25-member volunteer Board of Directors who meet monthly in support of the JSO.
Funds are raised through membership dues and most significantly, through the Annual Holiday Ball. In addition to supporting the JSO, we provide scholarships to community youth and young musicians to take lessons at the JSO Community Music School.
Guild members are also active volunteers. The Holiday Ball provides the greatest opportunity to volunteer whether you like to decorate or can help run the silent auction. There are many short- and long-term opportunities to get involved. Volunteers also host concert receptions and plan the Annual Meeting, a fun celebration of our accomplishments.
The Guild isn’t all work. Guild members enjoy each other’s company while volunteering together and attending JSO concerts.
The Jackson Symphony Guild Board of Directors is proud to offer the Mary Spring into Music Scholarship Award. The scholarship award will be given in the memory of Mary Spring each year. Since Mary’s legacy was one of achieving excellence in all that she did, we will be giving an annual award to the Community Music School’s most outstanding student in the area of excellence in musical achievement. The award winner will be featured as a soloist each year at our JSG Annual Meeting in May. To donate please call the JSO at 517-782-3221 to pick up a donation envelope. Checks should be made payable to the Jackson Symphony Guild with Mary Spring in the memo portion.
Mary Spring
2022 RECIPIENT
CAMERON GIBSON
2021 RECIPIENT
JANET SHASHA
2020 RECIPIENT
EMILY CREWS
2019 RECIPIENT
HALEY GIPSON
2018 RECIPIENT
IAN SHASHA
2017 RECIPIENT
ABIGAIL FOX
2016 RECIPIENT
LAURA COLEMAN
Maestro Stephen Osmond expertly led the Jackson Symphony Orchestra through 40 seasons and helped create an artistic, musical culture specific to Jackson that will continue for many years to come. This level of commitment and dedication to bringing top-level musical performance and outreach to the Jackson area is the basis of the Jackson Symphony Guild’s Stephen Osmond Scholarship. This tuition award shall be granted to a current CMS student who has already demonstrated clear dedication and commitment to our school and community.
Stephen Osmond
2022 RECIPIENT
SERENA FLEMING
2021 RECIPIENT
JANET SHASHA
2019 RECIPIENT
HALEY GIPSON
2018 RECIPIENT
IAN SHASHA
The Guild is working on raising funds that would help in the purchasing of the devises, headphones and music. For the past two years in August the Jackson Symphony Guild in partnership with the Michigan Theater and Lloyd Ganton Retirement Centers has brought the Jackson community, impactful films that highlight the positive effects music has on those suffering from Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, has led the fight against a broken healthcare system to demonstrate music’s ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it.
For more information, contact the Jackson District Library.
MORE ABOUT THE GUILD
Since its inception, the Guild has grown in stature and strength. It is recognized throughout the state as one of the most effective musical arts support groups in Michigan and is the envy of many orchestras. Every year, peer-review panels from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs comment on the impressive role the Guild plays in supporting the JSO and its programs. The Guild is an organization of which we must all be truly proud!
Thank you to all who have worked to make the Jackson Symphony Guild a vital partner of the JSO and a promoter of the music arts in Jackson!
Nineteen hundred and forty-nine not only gave birth to the Jackson Symphony Orchestra but the Women’s Division as well. The Jackson Symphony Guild History starts with its early members, under the leadership of Mrs. Earl Spiesberger, founding president, the Guild enthusiastically supported our Jackson Symphony Orchestra with the pledge to increase ticket sales and assist in promotion. Since that time with twelve in attendance at the first meeting, the Guild has grown to encompass over two hundred in membership.
Through the years the Guild has pioneered “after-glows” in Jackson and exemplified hospitality to traveling musicians with state-wide acclaim. Promotion and fundraising includes Holiday Balls, fashion show luncheons, book sales, Pop concerts, Shopping Days, cookbook sales, flea markets and Jazz Nights, to name a few of the more successful Guild projects. With spirited support, the Guild continues to fulfill its mission: To promote the enjoyment of music through increased support of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.
The inspiring words of our first president remind us today of the important role we play in our support:
“Munching on the memories of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra makes me realize how fortunate so many of us were to have shared its birth pangs and pride in its maturity. There was no fear, no temerity in trying new things to keep it safe and enhance the public’s interest in what we felt was a giant step in the cultural growth of Jackson. Many men and women worked tirelessly to bring it all about. We now have one of the finer Symphony Orchestras in the state. Let us carry on to keep it safe and beautiful.” -Jenny Spiesberger
OFFICERS
Angela Machnik
President
Jackie Livesay
Vice President
Jim Francis
Treasurer / 2022 Ball Co-Chair
Marian Bliznik
Corresponding Secretary
Melissa Callison
2022 Ball Chair
Joan Cummings
2022 Ball Treasurer
Belle Coty
JSO Liason
Matthew Aubin
JSO Music Director
Vickie McFerran
Past President
BOARD MEMBERS
Briston Bamm
Julie Craft
Christy Ellis
Jane Flores
Joanne Holman
Nicole Johnson
Jessica Malcheff
Heather Matteson
Cassondra McGinn
Stefanie Riggs
Susan Riley
Andrea Stickney
Dea Talmage
Jennifer Timm
Lisa Walton
Linda Wray
DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Pat Beffel Jr.*
Laurie Cunningham
Julie Duesing*
Laura Devenport
Barbara Duke*
Elayne Eberhart*
Debra Fairbanks
Joan French*
Maryanne Fuchs*
Helen Greene*
Nancy Kyro*
Donna Lake*
Karen Maas*
Erin Mazur*
Karen Moilanen*
Joyce Phelps*
Sue Rochester*
Heather Strecker
Pat Willis*
Deceased: Ken Baxter*, Mary McVicker*, and Patrice Vermeulen
*Denotes Lifetime Emeritus Status
ANNUAL MEETING COMMITTEE
Committee organizes JSG May annual meeting.
COMMUNITY MUSIC SCHOOL CHILDREN’S RECITALS
Volunteers assist at music school recitals.
CONCERT GREETERS
Friendly greeters from the Guild are needed to warmly welcome Jackson Symphony Orchestra concertgoers as they arrive at Jackson College Potter Center.
EVENT HOST IN YOUR HOME
The JSO sometimes holds a reception for contributors, guest artists and others, or immediately following a concert in the Subscription Series. On these occasions a volunteer host or hostess is needed for the reception.
FUNDRAISING
Explore Guild fundraising opportunities and assist with Holiday Ball solicitations.
GUEST ARTIST HOSPITALITY
Volunteer hosts and hostesses provide lodging, meals and transportation for guest artists and their families as needed.
HISTORY BOOK
Members maintain an ongoing photo history of the Guild and JSO events. Looking to make this a digital age volunteer position.
HOLIDAY BALL
This gala dinner-dance, held on the first Saturday in December, is the Guild’s largest fundraiser. It requires dozens of volunteers to plan the event, mail invitations, contact potential contributors, prepare publicity, obtain silent
auction items, set up auction items, put together a program book and decorate for the event.
HELP WITH DECORATING DAY OF THE HOLIDAY BALL
On the morning of the Holiday Ball, meet at the Country Club to help decorate for the Ball.
JSO HALL – HOLIDAY DECORATING
Decorate the JSO Performing Arts Center during the Holiday Season. Post season remove decorations.
MAILING – ADDRESSING – LABELING
Preparing mass mailings.
MARKETING
Assist in advertising, brochure design and mailings about the Jackson Symphony Guild.
MEMBERSHIP
Volunteers with a variety of skills are needed for this very important committee, including people who enjoy preparing printed materials on a computer, talking with potential members, assembling packets of materials, addressing invitations, and helping with mass mailings.
NEWSLETTER
Members of this committee produce the Guild’s “Interlude” newsletter. Volunteers who enjoy writing, taking photographs or designing page layouts on a computer are needed for this committee.
VOLUNTEER AT LARGE
Just want to be called when a need arises? This is for you!
2022 – Vickie McFerran
2021 – No award given
2020 – No award given
2019 – No award given
2018 – Stefanie Riggs
2016 – Pat Willis
2015 – Ken Baxter
2014 – Joan Cummings
2013 – Donna Lake
2012 – Mary McVicker
2011 – Barbara Duke
2008 – Maryanne Fuchs
2007 – Pat Beffel, Jr.
2006 – Susan Rochester
2005 – Joyce Phelps
2004 – Karen Maas
2003 – Helen Greene
2002 – Linda English
2001 – Viola Main
2000 – Anne Moore
1999 – Mary Spring
1998 – Miriam Walker
1997 – Eva Hamilton
1996 – Harriette Emmet
1995 – Jane Botsford