Join the Guild, Become Part of a Legacy
The Asheville Symphony Guild is a volunteer organization which raises funds in support of our outstanding Asheville Symphony Orchestra. The Guild also focuses on music education for the young people in our community.
Membership in the Asheville Symphony Guild is fun and affordable, providing numerous ways to contribute to the community, share your love of music, touch the lives of children and establish and share friendship with others.
Why Join the Asheville Symphony Guild?
- become a valued partner in supporting the Asheville Symphony, its commitment to the community and educational outreach.
- know that you are educating children as they learn about classical music and symphonic instruments. Protect the future of the music we love!
- experience deep satisfaction as you share your talents and skills while volunteering in our programs.
- establish new friendships and strengthen existing relationships, all while serving the community.
Exclusive Benefits for Guild Members
- Exclusive access to purchase the great Musical Feast parties 2 weeks before anyone else.
- An opportunity to attend a Saturday morning Symphony rehearsal to see how the concert is put together for that evening.
- Special Guild Evening Programs
- The September Guild Potluck
- The annual Guild Gathering in Spring
- The Asheville Symphony Guild is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Membership fees are fully tax deductible since no tangible goods or services are received in exchange.
The Guild provides support in three ways:
Musical Feasts
These wonderful parties/events/ happenings provide an opportunity to make friends, enjoy great music and share fabulous meals together. And all the money raised goes to support our Symphony. The Feasts are planned, hosted and paid for by Guild members.
Music in the Schools
The Guild-sponsored Music in the Schools Program provides music education programs to all Buncombe County and Asheville City second, third, fourth, and fifth graders. These programs introduce, educate and foster the love of music in elementary school children.
Music Ambassadors
Our Music Ambassadors volunteer to help at activities and events sponsored by both the Guild and the Asheville Symphony.
Since its founding, the Guild has provided over $1 million to support the Asheville Symphony Orchestra.
The Guild was founded by Mimi Cecil andCharlotte Lunsford in 1965 to provide financial support to the Asheville Symphony Orchestra.
2024-2026 Asheville Symphony Guild Executive Board
Cliff Albertson
President
The President manages the affairs of the Guild, presides at Board meetings and programs, serves as an ex-officio member of all committees and works with the Treasurer on all financial matters. The Guild President is also a voting member of the Asheville Symphony Board and is a liaison between the two Boards.
Judy Van Horne
President-Elect
The President-Elect assists the President and, in the absence of the President, assumes the duties of that office. The President-Elect works together with the President to communicate with all Guild members via eblasts, postcard mailings, and keeping the website up-to-date.
Barbara Hume
Vice-President
The Vice-President assists the President and the Guild with various functions, as needed. In particular, the Vice-President organizes the annual fall potluck to open the season and the spring luncheon which takes place in conjunction with the annual meeting.
Sharon Sandel
Recording Secretary
In this position, the recording secretary takes the minutes of all Guild Board meetings and the annual meeting. The secretary distributes the minutes to all Board officers and committee chairpersons and maintains a complete record of each year’s minutes. These minutes are now being posted on the Guild website for all members to read.
Honey Solomon
Corresponding Secretary
The Corresponding Secretary is responsible for acknowledging donations, commemorating celebrations, recognizing losses, and serving on ad hoc committees in promoting the goals of the ASO Guild.
Betty Fox
Past-President
The Past-President serves as an advisor to the President and the Board. Over the summer she updates the website with all new information and then periodically checks the website for up-to-date accuracy. The President may assign other duties as needed.
William Scarborough
Treasurer
In this role, the treasurer oversees all financial transactions and reports to the Guild Board as the year progresses. The treasurer also prepares the annual budget with input from all Board members.
Music in the Schools Committee
Sue Luther Chairs the Music in the Schools Committee. This committee coordinates the very important education outreach component of the Guild’s work in the community. Members of the committee are Susan Jensen, Gloria Pincu, Amy Loether, Sharon Sandel, Patty Coleman, Judy Gifford, Jennifer Garner, Lynn Roberts, and Kathryn Schultz.
The committee worked with artist Cactus (or 23 Skidoo) this past year as he developed a virtual program that will bring an exiting new experience to all second – fifth graders in the city and county. Teachers will be able to incorporate it into their lesson plans and use it throughout the year.
The Committee will coordinate the in-person concerts in all of the Asheville City and Buncombe County schools. Three ensembles of Asheville Symphony Orchestra members-strings, brass, and woodwinds- travel to the schools to introduce young students to live classical music, their instruments, and generally engage the kids in an interactive experience not to be forgotten.
Musical Feasts Committee
Kyle Parks and Clair Griffith are Co-Chairs of the Musical Feast Committee. They head a team of fellow Guild members as together they plan the major fundraising program for the Guild. Many events are organized in homes and venues around town, featuring interesting musicians, speakers, and outdoor activities – and, of course, wonderful food! Due to the generosity of numerous hosts throughout the year, the proceeds of the Feasts go to support the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and its programs.
Membership Committe
Clair Griffith and Anne Jarema Co-Chair the Membership Committee. They will organize the annual renewal and new member campaign and will invite members to help her “advertise” the Guild at our table at the symphony concerts and OLLI presentations on the Fridays before each Symphony concert.
Program Committee
Sharon Sandel and Clifford Albertson head up the committee to present a series of programs throughout the year. Generally held in the week before the Symphony concert, these programs are intended to enhance the Symphony concert experience by presenting interesting and educational insights into music to be featured in each concert.
Hospitality Committee
Nancy Gettys and Pam Prosser provide hospitality at Guild programs and at the OLLI pre-symphony talks. Look for various goodies, including cookies from Well-Bread Bakery, as we get together throughout the year.
Asheville Symphony
Executive Director – Daniel Crupi