Life

HSO launches drive for League members

By Bill Moss, Published: October 29, 2012

The Hendersonville Symphony League is recruiting new members for the volunteer fundraising arm of the Hendersonville Symphony.

HSO Board President Donna Hastie and Symphony League President Susan Bendel know that volunteers are numerous in this community but also highly sought.
"We feel like this group really is in a 'league of its own'," said Hastie. "Volunteers with the League have finite goals, with two to three key opportunities in which to accomplish them; that means our volunteers enjoy what they do and have time available for other activities."

Hastie and her husband are active members of the Hendersonville Symphony League, a group of volunteers that helps support both the HSO and the Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestras through fund-raising events.
A retired nuclear physicist, Hastie has been involved with several local symphony orchestras over the years and she considers Hendersonville's one of the best.
"At every concert, the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra has on average 65 to 70 paid professional musicians who come from Greenville, Brevard and the Asheville areas to perform," said Hastie. "The orchestra has for 40 years made significant contributions to the community in the form of outstanding performances, scholarships, musical enrichment and educational programs for children."
In addition to the professional musicians, the Symphony routinely brings in world class talent as guest performers with the orchestra. Most recently, Carter Brey, principal cellist with the New York Philharmonic, joined the orchestra for its October concert, Bohemian Rhapsody.

"Most every Symphony has a League or a Guild," said Hastie. "The goal of the League is to maintain the quality of music we've experienced and continue our outstanding youth programs."
Hastie says joining the League can be both fun and educational. Members meet new people, attend dress rehearsals and mingle with musicians and the conductor at post-concert parties. Volunteers also work to expand community outreach programs provided by the HSO and the Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestras. Most notable among League fundraisers is its annual Black and White Ball held each spring. In addition, League members organize periodic wine tastings and have freedom to develop additional events as needed.

If interested in joining the League, or to find out more information, contact Susan Bendel at InHerWriteMind@aol.com or 828-698-5930. Additional information can also be found on the HSO website at hendersonvillesymphony.org.

About the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra
The Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is a 501(c)3 organization that exists to enrich the Hendersonville community with live symphonic performances and instrumental music education for youth and adults. They accomplish this mission through their programs and services offered. Each year, the HSO offers live symphonic performances, under the artistic direction of Dr. Thomas Joiner, Conductor. An average of five concerts is offered during the regular season, with two additional concerts for area schools. Under the umbrella of the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, the Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestra offers four concerts each season and the Sinfonietta String Orchestra offers three concerts each season. In addition to the live symphonic performances, the HSO provides instrumental music education with pre-classical concert reviews, 3rd and 6th grade concerts, young artist competition, summer strings camp, and an active scholarship program.