Guild News through the year, by date

We are so pleased to feature Mark Clodfelter, Asheville Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Trumpet, for our March 17^th Guild Program in the ASO Conference Room, 10:00AM.  Mark will talk about the trumpet and its place in orchestral music and specifically in the Saturday concert.  We will also be treated to a sample of his musical talent.

Please mark your calendars to attend and bring a friend.  All are welcome—Guild membership is not required.  

Mark Clodfelter is a versatile performer of international acclaim and a Grammy nominated recording artist. He was described by Classical Voice North Carolina as “…a stellar world-class trumpeter whose dazzling playing wowed the audience,” and by the International Trumpet Guild Journal as “an exceptionally strong performer.” As a soloist, Mark has appeared in many of the world’s finest performing venues throughout the United States, Europe, Russia, South America, Thailand, Australia, and the People’s Republic of China.

Mark can be heard as Principal Trumpet of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and the Excelcia Winds Recording Ensemble (Tamp Fl.). At home in a great array of styles, his commercial affiliations have included split lead with the DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra and the Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra. He is member of Covalence, a chamber duo, with Rebecca Wilt, his wife and renowned collaborative pianist. Mark has served as a member of the faculty of the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Arcidosso, Italy, the Aruba Symphony Festival in Oranjestad Aruba, and he is currently on the faculty of the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts.

Mr. Clodfelter has recorded extensively in styles ranging from classical to rock. He has also appeared with such headliners as Josh Groban, The O’ Jays, Gladys Knight, Mannheim Steam Roller, the Moody Blues, the Lettermen, Doc Severinson, Bob Mintzer, Frank Mantooth, Lou Rawls, Glen Campbell and Ray Charles.

A dedicated educator, Mark is the Interim Director of the School of Music, and Professor of Trumpet at the University of Delaware. During the past two decades he served as Professor of Trumpet at both the University of North Carolina – Greensboro and the University of Kentucky. In each case, his students continue to garner national and international recognition; winning coveted awards and professional placement. Additionally, he was Co-Conductor of the Blue Grass Area Jazz Ambassadors and the Central Kentucky Youth Jazz Orchestra. Mark entered collegiate teaching as Instructor of Trumpet and Director of Jazz Band at Mars Hill College. He was a member of the faculty of the prestigious Eastern Music Festival and has taught the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. Mark was a founding member of the Giannini Brass and has held positions with the Greensboro Symphony, Orchestra Kentucky, the North Charleston Pops, the Western Piedmont Symphony, the Salisbury Symphony, the Greenville (SC) Symphony and the Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mr. Clodfelter holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University and a Master of Music Degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. 

Mark Clodfelter is an S.E. Shires Performing Artist and plays Pickett Brass custom mouthpieces.

Guild members answered the call to help the ASO staff reach out to symphony subscribers who had not yet renewed their subscriptions.  You may have received a call from one of these members asking if you wanted to keep your seats or were offered a few alternatives if you were not comfortable due to COVID.  We would like to thank those who volunteered to help in this important endeavor:  Sylvia Cassel, Rhonda Grimes, Jack Anderson, Bolling Farmer, Olivia Zahler, Sharron Davis, Sue Luther, Mary Kirby, and Sarah Van Gunten.

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What an incredible event!  We were so proud of “our” symphony and “our” city.  As volunteers who assisted at the beverage tents, we had the opportunity to experience the gratitude and praise from so many attendees.  Great job ASO.  

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The Governor’s Western Residence provided a magnificent setting for the Potluck on September 17^th.  The sun came out just as the event started and it turned out to be a sensational evening on the mountain.  There was a great response to the invitation and the guests provided a fabulous assortment of food and engaging conversation.  Many thanks to all who participated to make this such a memorable occasion.

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Renewing your Guild membership is one of the best ways you can support the Asheville Symphony family as we move forward.

Your membership supports:

• Asheville Symphony Orchestra musicians and staff
• Asheville Symphony Guild’s Music in the Schools program
• The Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra

One main benefit of Guild membership is early, exclusive access to purchase tickets to our Musical Feasts program, our major fundraiser for the symphony. Feasts are a wonderful way to enjoy unique aspects of our mountain home, make new friends, and socialize with friends of long-standing.

The Asheville Symphony Guild is very proud of all it has been able to accomplish during this past pandemic year. Thanks to all of you, our members, we have been able to: 

• conduct two special fundraisers and hold five Musical Feasts. The proceeds are donated directly to Symphony programs and activities.
• provide direct input, as well as monetary support, to the new virtual Music in the Schools program, which will reach all elementary students in Asheville City and Buncombe County schools.  Ultimately, this program will become available to students in virtually every educational setting in our entire region.
• participate in the selection process for the new executive director of the Asheville Symphony, Daniel Crupi. 
• maintain direct communication with you, our members, through a series of postcards, this periodic electronic newsletter, and our continually updated website.
• continue to plan ahead for this new year. Look for our September potluck at the Governor’s Western Residence on September 17, new Guild programs tied in to the Symphony performances, and an entire series of new Musical Feasts.   

Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to rebuilding our Symphony Guild community activities and sharing beautiful music together.