Join us on Thursday, October 11 at 10 a.m. for an Asheville Symphony Guild Program all about the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Come hear about our amazing Youth Orchestra! ASYO Music Director Emily Schaad and General Manager Brian Garland will discuss their experiences working with and conducting the student musicians of the Youth Orchestra. Learn more about the workshops, retreats, practices and performances that are all part of our youth orchestra students’ incredible journey to musicianhood!
Enjoy refreshments at 10 a.m. followed by the program. It all takes place at the Asheville Symphony Offices at 27 College Place, Suite 100, Asheville, NC 28801.
Directions: From College Street turn north on to Town Mountain Road. Just up the hill and into the curve, turn right on College Place. Go past the church to the first office building on the right. Turn right into the parking lot. The symphony offices are in the building with the Explore Asheville signage. You may park in the building’s parking lot or in the two church parking lots next to the office complex.
Our Directory is Now Digital
Looking for a Guild friend’s address?
The Guild Membership Directory is now online. Click on the Membership Directory button (found under the Membership tab) and you can download a copy of the directory to your computer. If you prefer a physical copy, it prints out on six pages.
Please note: If you have not logged in to the website before, you will need to create a password to access the membership directory.
The Guild hosted a Musical Feast to welcome our new Maestro, Darko Butorac (pictured, center).
Don’t miss these fantastic Feasts!
Return to Perelandra
Dinner on the Deck and a Concert by the Lonesome Road Band
Thursday, October 18, 5 p.m.
Return to beautiful Perelandra for an evening highlighted by a fabulous bluegrass concert featuring Grammy-nominated J. Larry Keith and The Lonesome Road Band. They have an outstanding Bluegrass repertoire, providing wonderful harmonies along with telling humorous mountain stories. Perelandra, and its beautiful mountain views is the home of Jerry Reed Smith, a very well-known dulcimer maker. Adjoining his home and his dulcimer workshop (which we get to tour), Jerry has built a wonderfully intimate concert hall.
From Folk to Baroque
Join Robin Bullock of Swannanoa Solstice Fame for a Delectable Dinner and a Fantastic Concert
Thursday, October 25, 5:30 p.m.
After a fabulous dinner looking out on the forests of the Ramble, Robin Bullock, hailed as the Celtic Guitar God by the Baltimore City Paper, will entertain us with his celebrated acoustic guitar, mandolin and cittern. He blends the ancient melodies of Celtic lands, their American descendants, and the masterworks of the Baroque and Renaissance eras into a powerful musical vision.
Lunch with Ann Vasilik
Watch the amazing Ann Vasilik create one of her masterful Asheville scenes right in front of us. Then enjoy a delicious lunch.
Wednesday, November 7, 12 p.m.
Have you ever watched Ann work? There is a fascinating magic as the transparent washes begin to reveal the solid elements of the scene. A special prize will go to the first person who can identify where the view is seen from! Add a glass of delightful wine and a delicious lunch! One guest will win the demo painting (which Ann will frame). Expect additional prizes as well.
Pass the Hat Nov. 17
You can help support Music in the Schools!
The Guild’s annual “Pass the Hat” fundraiser will be held at the Nov. 17 Masterworks Concert. Bring you credit card, checkbook or cash to help kids learn about music!
We have an abundance of fun and entertaining Musical Feasts coming up this season! Check out the full calendar of 
The Guild’s annual potluck was a great success with 86 people in attendance. The evening featured fabulous food, wonderful conversation among friends, and great views from the pavilion of the Governor’s Western Residence. We look forward to seeing you there next summer!
The Guild’s annual Pass the Hat fundraiser for our Music in the Schools Program will be held at the November 17 Masterworks Concert. Bring your checkbook and help support future music lovers!
Our first Asheville Symphony Guild Program of the new season takes place on Thursday, September 13 at 10 a.m. and features an interview with Asheville Symphony Executive Director David Whitehill and Music Director Darko Butorac. 
MASTERWORKS 1
To all Guild members and friends, thank you all so much for your generosity in contributing such wonderful donations for our Guild Estate Sale held June 14-16. Thanks to your contributions, the Guild raised $8,244 from the sale!
Our thanks and congratulations go to Sylvia Cassel who headed up the sale organization, to Honey Solomon and Bebe Landis who planned the great preview party, and to all the other helpers who did such a wonderful job! And special thanks to CarePartners staff who organized the sale so well.
A NEW Asheville Symphony season is about to begin with our new conductor, Darko Butorac, at the helm. Darko will be conducting the majority of this season’s concerts, and is definitely conducting the concerts in September, October, and November. I’m excited to have him here and am really looking forward to the NEW season. (View the full symphony season 
The Guild website has all the information you need as a Guild member. Explore it! There you’ll find the schedule for the year’s events — ASO concerts, Friday Symphony Talks, Musical Feasts, and much more!
The committee that organizes our Musical Feasts, chaired by Betty Fox, has outdone itself once again and we cannot thank the committee members enough: Beverly Briedis, Melinda Farr Brown, Jane Eudy, Bolling Farmer, Dick Hall, Yolanda Hall, Robin Harben, Beth Hunt, Gail Jolley, Doris Loomis, Sue Luther, Nan Murphy, Myra Ramsey, Victoria Remishofsky, Rose Rose, Fran Sandfort, Cori Saraceni, Diane Sharp, Yvonne Smith, and Olivia Zahler.
They are a very dedicated group of volunteers, who also help usher at Youth Orchestra Concerts, assist at student auditions, and work at other events when they are needed. Thanks to all of you who give of your time to help out: Susan Arnold, Anne Babcock, Bev Briedis, Gene Casey, Sylvia Cassel, Shelia Christofalos, Betty Fox, Lew Gelfond, Susan Jensen, Mary Kirby, Charlie Laiken, Ann McLellan, Ann McKenzie, Betty Paine, Gloria and Dan Pincu, Sarah Reincke, Barbara Rice, Bill Selden, Barbara Stickle, Sarah Van Gunten, Jane Verm, Deb Walker, Mary Williamson, and Olivia Zahler.
Many thanks to Gary Coleman, Julian Biller, Beverly and Charles Briedis, Fred Cassel, Carol and Joel Cotter, Betty Fox, Lew Gelfond, Rise Hershoran, Cara Jenkins, Ellen Jensen, Susan Jensen, Mary Kirby, Charlie Laiken, Bebe Landis, Carol McCollum, Miriam McKinney, Janice Orson, Betty Paine, Gloria and Dan Pincu, Pat Reader, Victoria Remsihofsky, Barbara and Marty Stickle, Amanda Tant, Howard and Honey Solomon, Stan Taylor, Joyce and Robert Weinberg, Sarah Van Gunten, Deb Walker, and Mary Williamson.