Vermont Symphony Orchestra Honors Volunteers and Donors at Annual Meeting

Two members of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Governing Board of Directors retired following completion of the maximum number of years permitted and were recognized for their service at the recent VSO Association Annual Meeting held at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. Brian Harwood of Waterbury and Richard Schneider of Northfield were honored for twelve years of outstanding service each. Harwood stepped down as Chair for the 2011-2013 seasons.

"Richard Schneider played an important role on our board," says VSO Executive Director Alan Jordan. "He shared his insight, wisdom, and experience as a non-profit executive. Brian Harwood served a critical role in rallying the board behind a vision statement development process, which directly led to our successful $3.5 million endowment campaign. We will miss both Rich and Brian, and thank them for their leadership, intellect, and enthusiasm."

Richard and Jaime Schneider of Northfield and Malcolm and Gladys Severance of Colchester were each recognized with a Crescendo Society Award for Lifetime Giving. Acknowledgement in the Crescendo Society honors the extraordinary support of the Orchestra's most generous contributors that have given $25,000 or more in realized cash or in-kind contributions. A custom-designed glass statue created by Simon Pearce was presented.

The "Volunteer of the Year" award was presented to Francis "Dutch" Walsh, a member of the Southeast Vermont friends of the VSO. Dutch was cited for his exemplary efforts helping the VSO performances in Bellows Falls and Chester.

The VSO's Made in Vermont Music Festival statewide tour continues through September 30th and the Masterworks series opens on Saturday, October 26 at the Flynn Theater for the Performing Arts in Burlington. Tickets are also available for "The True Story of Peter and the Wolf," a family Halloween concert to be held in Colchester, Montpelier, Middlebury and St. Albans.

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra is the only statewide orchestra providing live musical experiences for listeners in Vermont. It is a state-supported non-profit institution founded in 1935 and exists for the purpose of fostering and encouraging the appreciation of music in all its various forms, with emphasis on orchestral, choral and chamber music.