AMSOV’s 43rd Biennial Conference

AMSOV’s 43rd Biennial Conference
Washington, DC, June 2-5, 2022

The Florida Orchestra Guild is a member of AMSOV (Association of Major Symphony Volunteers), which is an association of 23 major symphony orchestras with volunteer associations in the US and Canada. AMSOV’s objective is the interchange of ideas among volunteer support organizations by facilitating discussion of activities to support the existence of major symphony orchestras.
Conference sessions were held at the REACH at the Kennedy Center where we were welcomed at the first session (via interactive video) by Deborah Rutter, President of the Kennedy Center. After her welcome, Nigel Boon, NSO’s Director of Artistic Planning moderated a panel to discuss Programming Orchestra Music for the 21st Century. We then departed for lunch and a tour of the Hillwood Estate and Museum. Our next activity was a pre-concert dinner at the Roof Top Terrace at the Kennedy Center.

At each AMSOV Conference, we attend a symphony presented by the “home”
orchestra. Maestro Gianandrea Noseda, Music Director of the NSO, conducted a
dance-themed program featuring the NSO premiere of Italian movie score composer Nino Rota’s Suite from Fellini’s La Strada as well as two evocative works by 19th century composer Alexander Borodin.

Our second session welcome was from Gary Ginstling, NSO’s Executive Director. Mr.
Ginstling also hosted an interesting conversation with Maestro Noseda, after which the audience could ask questions. Another wonderful presentation was given by Dr. Yeo-Chung Ma, Executive Director of the Children’s Orchestra Society (and sister of Yo-Yo Ma). Her topic was The Transformative Power of Music. We then traveled to the Cosmos Club for lunch and roundtable discussions. Topics included Fundraising, Education and Volunteer Retention. Our final evening was a Gala held at the Sulgrave Club where several clubs were recognized with AMSOV’s Innovator Awards. These awards are presented to clubs who have developed programs to support their orchestras in education, outreach, membership and fundraising. Awards were presented to Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia and Toronto.

The 44th AMSOV Biennial Conference will be held in Kansas City in May 2024.