Libby Watson, Executive Director of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, graced our stage today and began by thanking our club for all we do to make this community a better place to live, for our continued support of the ASO and the opportunity she and each of the four conductor finalist candidates had to visit our club last year.
Libby said that the ASO resides on the campus of Adrian College and that all proceeds generated from their concerts go toward “making art”. All ASO musicians are professional musicians yet have day jobs and come from a radius of 100 miles due to the challenge of the music played and the fact that rehearsals for each concert take place just the week prior to the concert. Orchestra members often times play for other orchestras as well throughout the year, she said.
A typical concert costs approximately $20,000 to present. The ASO is supported by ticket sales, individual contributions, sponsorships, ads, and subsidies from the State of Michigan as well as the National Center for the Arts. Having a symphony in Adrian, Libby said, increases civic pride, brings our community together, and attracts people to our community. It has a huge social impact fostering cohesion, reducing poverty, etc.
The search for a new conductor to replace John Thomas Dotson last year took many months, Libby said. Of the 140 candidates who submitted resumes, Bruce Kiesling from LA was chosen. He travels to Adrian the week before every concert to rehearse with the musicians. He is also serves as the conductor of the Tulare Symphony Orchestra in California where he lives. He also teaches music at UCLA. Incidentally, our own Mike Olsaver is the ASO’s board chair and Gerry Burg is a board member as well.
Libby couldn’t say enough about Leah Crocetto, an Adrian native who attended LCS and Siena Heights University. At 16 years of age she won the ASO’s Young Musician Contest and has performed with them nine separate times since! She now works for one of the top management agencies in the world – CAMI – based in New York City. She has sung with the Metropolitan Opera and at the Kennedy Center. She has a performance on April 28th here in Adrian with accomplished pianist Mark Markham.
The ASO, Libby concluded, wants to be a leader of art education in this community and with children particularly since they have so many skills. Among the programs offered are: their “Music Moves Me” – held at local area libraries with a song leader which is free of charge; their instrument “Petting Zoo” which gives children an opportunity to explore various instruments; their “Link-Up” program in partnership with Carnegie Hall where kids actually play along with the orchestra and leave with a free workbook and their teacher with a free Teacher’s Guide! May 9th is their next opportunity. Please contact the ASO for more information. Thanks, Libby, for a wonderful presentation!
Rotarian of the Year – Please be thinking of a deserving member who you would like to nominate for this honor. Winner will be announced at the Annual Changeover Dinner on June 29th. Forms will be out shortly.
DATES TO REMEMBER
June 16 - Siena Heights Summer Spectacular – This event is scheduled for June 16th. Golf outing, dinner and auction. The cost is $65 per person. Social hour starts at 5pm. Please visit sienaheights.edu/spectacular for more info and to register by June 1. Proceeds go to fund student scholarships. Please contact Robin Hinman for more information.
June 16 - Siena Heights Golf Ball Drop – Yet another fundraising event is scheduled for June 16th. Only 200 balls will be sold for $20@ and the grand prize is $1,000 for the person whose ball is closest to the flagged hole. Balls are being sold in advance at the Advancement Office, Sacred Heart Hall room 101. The ball drop will be from 5pm-5:30pm in Trinity Gardens.
June 16 – Goodwill Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting – Nathan invited all members to this event at their newest facility at 1400 US 223 in Adrian. Please RSVP ASAP to Kristine at kdewey@goodwillsemi.org or call 263-2135.
June 17 – Devil's Lake Festival of the Arts – Chair Brent updated members as a sign-up sheet was again passed around with specific shift times. Any and all help that day, he said, would be appreciated especially at the end of the program for tear down and clean up duties. The event starts promptly at 10am that morning and runs until 6pm.
June 29 – Annual Change Over Dinner – Coney Island hot dogs and pulled pork will be on the menu along with salads and an array of appetizers and desserts, Rhonda said. The meal will be free for any member who pre-pays for their regular meeting meals with their dues and $10 for their guests and members who do not pre-pay. The gig starts at 5pm. Hope to have an awesome turnout.
July 29 – Toledo Mudhens Game – Adrian Morning Rotarian Jeane Pfister invited our club to attend this game with them. A dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse is planned before the game. Please contact Jean f you would like to go at 517-918-2019 or e-mail her at jap0928@live.com.
September 16 & 17 - Bike Tour – Chip announced that he is still working on sponsorships and has a commitment from members Mark & Mary Murray and Max Sielsky. A meeting of the committee is scheduled for July 20th at Chip's house and again at the Changeover Dinner on the 28th and another on August 17th at Chip's house.
Upcoming Club Program Presentations
June 15 – Kathye Herrera - MADD
June 22 – Fluency Friends Update - Kathy Sielsky
June 29 - CHANGEOVER DINNER (NO NOON MEETING THAT DAY)
GUESTS: Visiting Morning Rotarians Dave Maxwell; Kathryn Suechuck, guest of Nate Smith.
Frank’s and A.J.’s tickets were drawn but neither won the still small jackpot! However, Steve May donated a mug and a T-shirt and the winners were Chip and A.J.!
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Libby Watson, Executive Director of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, graced our stage today and began by thanking our club for all we do to make this community a better place to live, for our continued support of the ASO and the opportunity she and each of the four conductor finalist candidates had to visit our club last year.
conductor of the Tulare Symphony Orchestra in California where he lives. He also teaches music at UCLA. Incidentally, our own Mike Olsaver is the ASO’s board chair and Gerry Burg is a board member as well.
ibby couldn’t say enough about Leah Crocetto, an Adrian native who attended LCS and Siena Heights University. At 16 years of age she won the ASO’s Young Musician Contest and has performed with them nine separate times since! She now works for one of the top management agencies in the world – CAMI – based in New York City. She has sung with the Metropolitan Opera and at the Kennedy Center. She has a performance on April 28th here in Adrian with accomplished pianist Mark Markham.
Rotarian of the Year – Please be thinking of a deserving member who you would like to nominate for this honor. Winner will be announced at the Annual Changeover Dinner on June 29th. Forms will be out shortly.
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ike Tour – Chip announced that he is still working on sponsorships and has a commitment from members Mark & Mary Murray and Max Sielsky. A meeting of the committee is scheduled for July 20th at Chip's house and again at the Changeover Dinner on the 28th and another on August 17th at Chip's house.
