Preview the New Year's Eve Gala Silent Auction Items

We are excited to announce that the silent auction items for this year's New Year's Eve Gala at the Sheraton Hotel's Emerald Ballroom are beginning to come in. We are thrilled with the generosity that we've seen from local businesses and individuals who have donated this year. It's fantastic to see such support for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.

While there's still more to come we have begun compiling a list of the items that have been donated so we can show you a preview of what will be offered. With the variety of items donated, from vacation destinations, dining experiences, fine jewelry, even an opportunity to conduct the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, we are sure there will be something that peaks your interests!

Preview the 2014 VSO New Year's Eve Gala's silent auction items here.

Not going to make it to the event this year? You will be missed, but fortunately we are offering the opportunity to place absentee bids. We encourage you to be in touch with Karen either by email: karen@vso.org or phone: 802-864-5741 x25 if you are interested in bidding. All absentee bids must be received by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 in order to be considered. Review the complete bidding instructions here.

For those of you attending the event we look forward to seeing you and enjoying an elegant evening to ring in the new year!

Keep reading!

Uncorking Spring this weekend!

Starting to think about your yard? This Saturday is the time to shop for all your gardening needs and support the VSO's educational programs at the same time! Uncorking Spring is a casual evening of music, wine tastings, hors d'oeuvres, raffles, and doorprizes to support the VSO's SymphonyKids Educational Outreach programs. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Conservatory at Gardener's Supply in Williston. Keep reading for additional information about the event.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online. Music will be provided by the VSO's Harp & Soul flute and harp duo. Gardener's Supply will donate 10% of the proceeds from the day's sales to the VSO. Keep reading!

15th Annual Radio Auction this Thursday at 6 p.m.!

The annual Radio Auction, presented by the Radio Vermont Group and hosted by Eric Michaels, is an exciting and interactive on-air event that raises $15,000-$20,000 each year for the VSO. All proceeds support the VSO's musical and educational programs across the state. Visit our website for a list of the fabulous items included in this year's auction. Bidders can listen anywhere in the world online. Vermonters should keep reading for a list of the stations that will broadcast the auction.

WDEV 550 AM: Serving Washington, Lamoille, Orange, Caledonia, and Orleans Counties

WDEV 96.1 FM (Lincoln Peak, Sugarbush): Serving the Mad River Valley and Champlain Valley, focusing on Washington, Orange, Grand Isle, and Addison counties

WDEV 96.5 FM (Barre): Specifically serving Barre

WDEV 101.9 FM (Island Pond): Serving the Northeast Kingdom

WCVT 101.7 FM (from the top of Mount Mansfield): All classical, all the time. Serving Barre, Montpelier, and the Champlain Valley

WCVT 102.5 FM (Montpelier): Specifically serving the Capital City

WLVB 93.9 FM: Serving Lamoille, Caledonia, and Orleans counties
Keep reading!

The VSO feeds bodies, hearts, and minds post-Irene

Your Vermont Symphony Orchestra is hitting the road for its 16th annual foliage season Made in Vermont Music Festival statewide tour featuring world renowned violinist Jaime Laredo. We are encouraging audiences to also support the flood relief effort, and offer three opportunities for you to provide food for the body, the heart, and the mind:

>> bring non-perishable food items to help replenish the depleted Vermont Foodbank inventory;

>> bring a contribution for the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund; or

>> bring a contribution for the VSO to deliver free SymphonyKids educational outreach programs to schools in the most devastated towns.

Enjoy your VSO and help to rebuild Vermont. We hope you can come. Thank you. Keep reading for the complete tour schedule and program.

Jaime Laredo, conductor and violin

Katherine Winterstein, violin
Russell Wilson, viola
Luke Baker, bass

MOZART Serenata Notturno
HONEGGER Pastorale d'Eté
ROBERT PATERSON Dark Mountains (World Premiere Commission)
SIBELIUS Valse Triste
HAYDN Symphony No. 53, "L'Imperiale"

Friday, September 23
Johnson

Saturday, September 24
Vergennes

Sunday, September 25
Derby Line

Thursday, September 29
Lyndonville

Friday, September 30
Bellows Falls

Saturday, October 1
Randolph

Sunday, October 2
Woodstock

Monday, October 3
Castleton Keep reading!

Symphony Sampler is August 26 in Newport

Symphony Sampler is a regional event hosted by the North Country Friends of the VSO. It's an excellent opportunity to socialize, enjoy music made by local musicians, and support the VSO. The event will be held on Friday night, August 26, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Dancing Sail at Eastside Restaurant in Newport.


The evening includes:

--Music by The Bassooniacs, a quartet which includes VSO bassoonist Rachael Elliott of St. Johnsbury and Steve Tatum, a NCUHS graduate.

--Sumptuous buffet and cash bar

--Multi-prize raffle (grand prize is a hotel stay in Burlington and a pair of tickets to a Masterworks Series concert)

--Live auction of an original painted Adirondack chair and a Symphony Sampler quilt made by Carolyn Ferrara

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for ages 13-17, $20 for under age 13. Seating is limited. Tickets are nonrefundable. For more information, call (802) 334-8110 or (800) VSO-9293 x14. You may purchase tickets by completing and remitting this form. Keep reading!

3rd Annual Instant Wine Cellar Raffle

Take a chance at enjoying wine of noble vintage like Dick and Judy Koloski, last year's winners (pictured), by purchasing a ticket for our 3rd Annual Instant Wine Cellar Raffle. Only 450 tickets will be sold for this exciting raffle. The prize includes 100+ bottles of wine and a wine cellar. Visit our website for more details. Call Mike at (800) 876-9293 x 25 or e-mail mike@vso.org to buy a ticket. Keep reading!

VSO Radio Auction Results Announced

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s 14th annual Radio Auction over the stations of the Radio Vermont Group raised $16,329 to support the VSO’s statewide performances and educational presentations. Over the lifetime of the event, presented by the Central Vermont Friends of the VSO, the Radio Auction has raised $221,803.

“The Radio Vermont Group has done it again,” exclaimed a jubilant VSO Executive Director Alan Jordan. “We are so grateful for the support from bidders, item donors, block sponsors, media supporters, volunteers and businesses that provided food for our auction workers. But we are particularly thankful to the Radio Vermont Group for their annual hosting of this event that has now raised more than $220,000 to help carry on the good work of the VSO across Vermont.”

The March 31st radio auction included over 95 items donated by individuals and businesses from across Central Vermont and the Champlain Valley. Block sponsors were Sullivan, Powers, & Company; Northfield Savings Bank, Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom; Houseneeds.com; Dubois Construction and Lamberton Electric; Gallagher, Flynn, & Company; and Morse Farm Maple Sugar Works. Media support was provided by the Barre Times-Argus, News and Citizen, Rutland Herald, Stowe Reporter, Transcript, Valley Reporter, Waterbury Record, and The World. The Radio Auction was carried live on WDEV 550AM, 96.1FM, 96.5FM, and 101.9FM in the Kingdom; WCVT Classic Vermont 101.7FM and 102.5FM; and WLVB 93.9FM.
Keep reading!

Advertise with the VSO for a statewide reach

The VSO plays in several communities across the state each year. Reach these sophisticated audiences with an advertisement in our concert program guides. From $0.02 per impression, advertising with the VSO is an economical buy. Reach 20,000 Vermonters from 21 towns and the area that surrounds. E-mail Rebecca@vso.org today for a special 10% off deal for first-time advertisers. Click here for our rates sheet. Click here for our specs sheet.
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14th Annual Radio Auction tomorrow!

Call (800) 639-9338 for your bidder number today before this auction is going, going, gone. Bid on 100 quality items from businesses around Vermont and beyond. Choose from room nights at Vermont inns,concert and other entertainment tickets, apparel, vintage fine wines, sporting packages and passes, a handmade quilt, and more! Visit our website for complete information. Click here to view the complete auction item list. Keep reading for a list of radio stations airing the auction. It will also stream online.

WDEV 550 AM (5,000 watts): Serving Washington, Lamoille, Orange, Caledonia, and Orleans Counties

WDEV 96.1 FM (25,000 watts. Lincoln Peak, Sugarbush): Serving the Mad River Valley and Champlain Valley, focusing on Washington, Orange, Grand Isle, and Addison counties

WDEV 96.5 FM (Barre): Specifically serving Barre

WCVT-FM 101.7 (25,000 watts Stowe-Burlington): All classical, all the time. Serving Barre, Montpelier, and the Champlain Valley

WCVT 102.5 FM (Montpelier): Specifically serving the Capital City

WLVB 93.9 FM (6,000 watts): Serving Lamoille, Caledonia, and Orleans counties Keep reading!

14th Annual Radio Auction: March 31, 2011

The 14th Annual Vermont Symphony Orchestra Radio Auction, hosted by Radio Vermont Group, offers listeners a diverse selection of items while supporting Vermont’s world class symphony. From a Montreal weekend, ski season passes, tickets to Daytona and the New Hampshire Speedway, VIP tickets to the Festival of the Americas in Stowe, dinner with VSO Music Director Jaime Laredo and overnight stays and meals at the finest inns and restaurants, there will be plenty of high action items available when the Radio Auction airs on Thursday, March 31 from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.


The Radio Auction will be hosted by Eric Michaels, Brian Harwood, Ken Squier, and other Radio Vermont personalities and will be broadcast on WCVT 101.7 FM Stowe-Burlington and 102.5 FM Montpelier, WDEV 550 AM and 96.1 FM Waterbury, 96.5 FM Barre, WLVB 93.9 FM Morrisville, and 101.9 FM The Kingdom. It will also be streamed live on www.wdevradio.com. Items will be auctioned in 15-minute blocks. To view the auction list of nearly 100 items donated by businesses all across the state, visit the VSO website at www.vso.org and check local newspapers including The World, Times Argus, Rutland Herald, and others in the week before the event. To pre-register for a bidder number call WDEV at 800-639-9338.


Other auction items include golf packages from Montague Golf Club in Randolph and Stowe Country Club, and gift certificates for local restaurants, concerts, jewelry, clothing and more. Some of the best things “on air” will be priceless. Bid to co-host radio shows with Ken Squier, Brian Harwood, Roland Lajoie, Lee Kittell, or Eric Michaels and Jon Noyes, or catch the once-in-a-lifetime chance to conduct the VSO or play the chimes at a summer concert.


Block sponsors include Houseneeds.com, Northfield Savings Bank, Sullivan, Powers & Co., Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom, Gallagher, Flynn & Co., Dubois Construction and Lamberton Electric. Laughing Moon Chocolates will provide truffles for over-bidders.


During the Radio Auction Thursday, March 31, call the following numbers to bid: 800-498-4877, 800-827-6461, 800-639-9338, 802-244-7321, or 802-244-1764.


Proceeds support VSO musical and educational programs in Vermont which included last year more than 40 concerts throughout the state and 175 educational outreach programs reaching more than 24,000 children. Last year successful bidders raised $22,550 for the VSO. Over the last 13 years the auction has collected more than $205,000.


Keep reading!

Winners of the Instant Wine Cellar Raffle Announced

The drawing for the Instant Wine Cellar Raffle took place on February 5. Congratulations to Susan Koloski, the grand prize winner, and our runner-up winners Ritch Berger and Susan Wallace. Keep reading!

VSO Celebrates $3.5 Million Endowment Campaign

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra announced Wednesday, January 19, 2011, that it has successfully reached its ambitious endowment goal to raise $3.5 million.

At a State House press conference, Honorary Campaign Chair Ed Colodny stated, “In a time when cultural organizations around the country face hard times, the VSO’s audiences have been loyal and dedicated, and our programming has been innovative and rich. Now this fabulous endowment ensures stable funding for the future. We are especially grateful for the hundreds of donors who have stepped forward to allow us to reach this incredible milestone.”

The three-year campaign follows the Orchestra’s 75th anniversary, celebrated during the 2009/2010 season. The purpose of the endowment is to ensure a healthy, sustainable symphony orchestra for Vermont and to help bring the Orchestra to more communities across the state through concerts and outreach programs including the popular SymphonyKids education programs in local schools.

“Music is the universal language,” Colodny said, “and its existence contributes immeasurably to our quality of life. The VSO contributes mightily in making Vermont a special place to live.”

The endowment campaign came at a critical moment in the Orchestra’s 75 year history. Like other orchestras, the VSO has faced economic uncertainty in the past. “It’s our statewide volunteer network that sets us apart,” says Alan Jordan, VSO Executive Director. “Our volunteers allow a $1.8 million operation to work like a $3 million orchestra, generating enthusiasm and awareness, selling tickets and raising funds, accommodating musicians in their homes, whatever it takes,” he says. “And, with these volunteers, we have raised this crucial endowment to support the orchestra for future generations.”

The VSO was formed as the nation recovered from the Great Depression. It has survived through 12 recessions, and has flourished over the years. It began in the fall of 1934 when visionary musician Alan Carter gathered Vermont’s scattered musical forces—musicians who were also farmers, bankers, plumbers and teachers—to form the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. From the beginning, the VSO traveled around the state to perform wherever an audience could be found. It became the first state-supported orchestra in 1939 when the legislature provided funds for a performance at the New York World’s Fair.

“The fact that the VSO is the oldest state symphony in America and has continued with so little bedrock endowment is amazing,” says Ken Squier, Chairman of the Governing Board of Directors. “We especially thank the many generous individuals and organizations whose gifts will help us perpetuate the great work that Music Director Jaime Laredo, our Orchestra, and the staff have done.”

Guilford resident and world renowned violinist Jaime Laredo became Music Director in 2000. His tenure has been marked by critically acclaimed performances, and guest appearances by leading classical musicians, including Midori, Lang Lang, Jennifer Koh, Leila Josefowicz, Peter Serkin, Soovin Kim, Michael Tree and Leon Fleisher. World class cellist Yo Yo Ma returns to perform with the Orchestra on April 30. The concert has been sold out since last September.

During the 2009/10 season the Orchestra reached an audience of 53,791, including 24,089 school children through its popular SymphonyKids outreach program in Vermont schools. Overall the Orchestra produced 301 performances and events statewide—266 of the events were offered free of charge to audience members.
Keep reading!

Waltz Night Silent Auction Items Online

Waltz Night -- Vermont's Most Elegant Evening -- is two weeks from Saturday on February 5 at the Davis Center at UVM in Burlington. In addition to dinner, dancing, and a 100 bottle instant wine cellar raffle, Waltz Night features both live and silent auctions. View all of the fantastic items up for auction here. Keep reading to watch a short video about Waltz Night.


Keep reading!

These are the final weeks of our Endowment Campaign

Please help us finish our Endowment Campaign successfully! We have less than $55,000 left to raise of our $3.5 million goal and YOU can help us get there by making a gift today. Your gift will strengthen your VSO for the future as we strive to make live classical music accessible to all Vermonters. Click here to make a gift now or learn more about the campaign. Keep reading for our detailed campaign goals. 


Achieve and maintain competitive musician compensation – The VSO must offer musician compensation that achieves and maintains competitive rates in order to remain an inviting performance opportunity for top-notch players.

Sustain the Made in Vermont Music Festival statewide tour – The VSO must find new, permanent, and dedicated revenue streams to perpetuate this annual musical offering to the state’s most underserved regions.

Expand the string section and increase rehearsal time – While the VSO is “at the top of its game” artistically, it must enlarge the string section for programs with appropriate repertoire, and increase the rehearsal time for all presentations in order to continue artistic growth.

Extend reach and promotion of SymphonyKids – The VSO must expand its offerings, to reach an even higher percentage of school children across the state and improve promotion so that every teacher, school administrator and parent is informed about the availability and quality of this outstanding musical education resource for the children of Vermont.

Enhance statewide marketing and development efforts – The VSO must dedicate more financial resources to marketing and development efforts, engaging adequate staff and funding outreach to ensure that all Vermonters know of the VSO’s programs and its need for financial support.

Create a cash reserve fund – The VSO must establish a $200,000 cash reserve, to cover cyclical operating shortfalls and eliminate the expense of using a commercial line of credit.

Increase the endowment to assure healthy sustainability – According to national professional standards, a healthy American orchestra should have a permanent reserve or endowment fund equal to at least three years of operating revenues. The current modest VSO endowment fund is equal to just four months of operating revenues and produced just 2.2% of annual operating funds in FY2006. The VSO must build the endowment to a sufficient level to provide a reliable revenue stream to supplement ticket sales and donations and to support vital new initiatives.


Make a gift. Keep reading!

End of Endowment Campaign In Sight

We have raised 97% of the endowment goal of $3.5 million. To date, we have raised $3,393,130. Make a donation to our endowment campaign to ensure the longevity of your Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Help us end this campaign soon. E-mail Mike Peluse or call (800) 876-9293 x25 for more information or to donate. You can also make a donation online. Keep reading for more information about ways of giving and naming opportunities.

There are many ways to give to the VSO during this endowment campaign. Please consider these methods and find the one that best suits your current situation. In many cases you may find there are tax benefits with certain ways of giving; please discuss these with your financial advisor, and call us if you have specific questions. We ask you to remember that annual giving remains a crucial part of our operations, and we hope you will maintain your support for today, while participating in this campaign for the future.

A cash contribution is the easiest way to give, and can be spread over several years.

Gifts of stock, mutual funds, or bonds are a popular way to give and most donors find this a more advantageous way to make a generous gift.

Paid insurance policies are welcomed as a contribution to the campaign.

You may have property or tangible goods you would like to donate. Please be aware that tax law requires you to obtain an appraisal of any tangible goods valued at $5,000 or more, prior to your donation, and that immediate sale of the gift may affect the limits of its tax deductibility. In the case of a gift of real estate, you may need to have an environmental appraisal.

Planned gifts are an increasingly popular way to make a long-term impact with your contribution. This could include trusts, retirement funds, charitable gift annuities and other estate planning methods. As a tax exempt organization, we can benefit from a variety of trust arrangements which carry substantial benefits for the donor.

Bequests are the ultimate gift to the VSO. Although a bequest cannot be counted in our campaign goal until it is realized, we would like to recognize your plans by including you among our Legacy Society, which is acknowledged annually. Please let us know if you have made provision for a gift to the VSO in your will.

Your contribution to the VSO will make a significant difference in the future. We are deeply grateful for your participation in this campaign. E-mail Mike Peluse, Development Director, or call (800) VSO-9293 x 25 if you would like to discuss any aspect of your giving plans.

A gift of any size may be made to the general endowment or to an already established endowment fund. Listed below are special opportunities in the current campaign to name a specific fund in perpetuity.*

Music Director Chair $1,500,000
Chorus Director Chair $500,000
Guest Artist Chair $500,000
Principal Guest Conductor Chair $400,000

Concertmaster Chair $400,000
Assistant Concertmaster Chair $250,000
Principal Chair $200,000
Section Chair $150,000

Masterworks Series $1,250,000
Made in Vermont Tour $500,000
Summer Festival Tour $1,250,000
Holiday Pops Series $375,000

SymphonyKids Education Programs $1,000,000
SymphonyKids Components:
Musicians-in-the-Schools $500,000
Musical Petting Zoo $150,000
Orchestral Youth Concert Tour $250,000

* Other naming opportunities are available, as well as five- or ten-year options. Honorary or memorial gifts are also welcome. Please feel free to discuss your ideas with Alan Jordan, VSO Executive Director, or Mike Peluse, Development Director. Keep reading!

Enter our Instant Wine Cellar Raffle

Purchase tickets for $35 (or 3 for $100) from the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO), and you will be entered in a drawing to win an “Instant Wine Cellar.” No more than 350 tickets will be sold. The winner will receive an “instant wine cellar” consisting of 100 bottles of wine and a wine cooler cabinet to hold them. The package has an estimated value of $3,500. Keep reading for the official rules or visit our website.


HOW TO ENTER:

1) Go to www.vso.org to the “VSO Instant Wine Cellar Raffle” page and send an email via the provided link. Someone will contact you to complete the sale.

2) Call the VSO at (800) VSO-9293. Provide your entry information (name, address, telephone, email) over the phone along with credit card information to charge the entry fee. If you reach a voice mailbox, leave your name and contact information and someone will contact you to complete the purchase.

3) Mail in completed entry form to Vermont Symphony Orchestra, Attn: Instant Wine Cellar Raffle, 2 Church Street Suite 3B, Burlington, VT 05401, with your check for $35 per ticket (or 3 for $100) payable to Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Entry forms may be obtained at the VSO Office, by calling (800) VSO-9293, or by downloading and printing this VSO Instant Wine Cellar Raffle Entry Form. Mailed entries must be received by the VSO no later than 5:00pm EST on February 4, 2011.

ELIGIBILITY: Open only to legal U.S. residents who are 21 years of age or older as of July 24, 2010. Full-time and part-time employees of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, VSO musicians, and other contracted service providers of the VSO and their immediate family members are ineligible. The VSO is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, incomplete, misdirected, illegible or mutilated entries. The VSO reserves the right to revoke any prize or remove an entry if the entrant does not meet any or all of the eligibility requirements, or if the entry or winning ticket has been damaged or altered.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION OF WINNERS: The drawing will be held at the 33rd Annual Waltz Night on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at the Dudley Davis Center at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. The winner need not be present to win. Once submitted, entries become the sole property of the VSO and will not be returned. Winner will be notified in person (if present at the drawing), by phone, mail and/or email. If potential winner cannot be reached after 10 days from first notification attempt, or if an entrant is found to be ineligible, or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, such prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner selected by random drawing. The VSO is not responsible for problems occurring within the postal system or the internet which may affect winner’s receipt of the winning notice.

PRIZE: “Instant wine cellar” consisting of 100 bottles of wine and a wine cooler cabinet to hold them. The package has an estimated value of $3,500. The VSO will deliver the prize to the winner within 90 days of the raffle drawing, at which time the winner shall be the legal owner of the prize. If the winner lives in the northeastern U.S., the VSO will deliver the prize to a mutually agreed-upon location. If the winner lives outside the northeast, the winner will need to make arrangements to pick up the prize and/or transport it. Prize is transferable, but solely by the raffle winner, and the winner must notify the VSO if a transfer is to take place, and who the new claimant will be. The transferee must be at least 21 years of age.

INDEMNIFICATION & LIMIT ON LIABLITY: As a condition of accepting the prize, winner acknowledges that the VSO is not responsible for any harm, injury, losses, or damage caused to any person or property, proximate or otherwise, through the use of any prize by any person, or other issues related to the prize, its warranty, or its quality. Winner further agrees to save and hold harmless the VSO, its board members and employees from any claim of such responsibility. “Harm, injury, losses, or damage” includes but is not limited to occurrences beyond the control of the VSO such as death, bodily injury, property damage, or theft.

GENERAL: Pursuant to current tax law, ticket purchases are not tax deductible. By entering the raffle, participants agree that the VSO, its board members and employees have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, harm, losses, or damages of any kind caused to any person or property, proximate or otherwise, which result from use of the prize, or by participation in the raffle. Participants further agree to save and hold harmless the VSO, its board members and employees from any claim of such responsibility. Prize must be claimed within 60 days from the date of award. The prize cannot be exchanged for cash. No substitutions. The VSO may use winner’s name and likeness for publicity purposes without further compensation. The VSO is not responsible for any failure of communications or failure of the internet or its website. The VSO reserves the right to modify these rules and will give prompt announcement of any rule changes. All decisions of the VSO are final and binding in all matters related to this raffle.

TAX OBLIGATIONS: All local, state and federal taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner. The VSO is required by law to report to the Internal Revenue Service the value of the prize as income to the winner. Winner agrees to provide their social security number to the VSO, and to provide any other documentation requested. Winner acknowledges that failure to provide such documentation may require the VSO to withhold income taxes from the winner in order for the winner to claim the prize. This information is collected for tax recording purposes only, and will not be used or released for any other purposes.

RESTRICTIONS: By participating in the VSO Instant Wine Cellar Raffle, a participant agrees to be bound by these Official Rules, and by all decisions of the VSO. The winner will be required to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Publicity/Liability Release. For further information, please call the VSO at (800) 876-9293.

Keep reading!

Dine with Jaime and Sharon--reserve by Wednesday morning

Fueled by reality food television shows, celebrity chefs have cropped up all over the nation. This Wednesday, October 20, enjoy a meal prepared by Chef David Smith of the Old Tavern at Grafton. You will be joined by VSO celebs Jaime Laredo and Sharon Robinson at the VSO's inaugural Celebrity Chef Dinner. The meal includes cocktails, pan-seared scallops, bacon roasted brussel sprouts, apple crisp, and much, much more. All proceeds go to support the VSO's SymphonyKids Educational Outreach Programs in the southeastern region of the state. Keep reading to learn more about the menu and how to attend. Space reservations must be received by Wednesday morning. Call today!


Inaugural Celebrity Chef Dinner
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Old Tavern at Grafton

Jaime Laredo and Sharon Robinson, hosts
David Smith, chef
John Cray and Kathleen Metelica, innkeepers

6:00 p.m. Cocktails in the Phelps Barn
7:00 p.m. Dinner


$125 per person ($60 is tax deductible)
Space is limited and reservations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please reserve by calling The Old Tavern at Grafton at (800) 843-1801.

A special overnight rate at The Old Tavern will be available on a limited basis for that evening. Please inquire when making your dinner reservation.


MENU

Pan seared scallop with a gilfeather turnip puree and basil oil

Mixed baby greens with goat cheese, toasted almonds, grapefruit and a shallot-lemon vinaigrette

Grafton shooter

Elk steak with Grafton cheddar and roast garlic mashed potatoes, bacon roasted brussel sprouts and a peppercorn port reduction*

Apple crisp with maple whipped cream

*Vegetarian option: Asparagus and goat cheese ravioli with a sundried tomato cream sauce



Proceeds support the VSO's SymphonyKids Educational Outreach programs in Southeastern Vermont. The VSO believes in bringing music to all parts of the state; not just through concerts, but also through SymphonyKids outreach programs for school-aged children. Each year, VSO musicians travel to the smallest schools in every corner of the state to bring the message that classical music can be cool! Last year they reached over 24,000 schoolchildren at 162 schools in 133 communities. The Southeast Vermont Friends of the VSO has set an ambitious target -- over the next three years they aim to offer free of charge a SymphonyKids program to every one of the elementary schools in the region. Thanks to a grant from the Windham Foundation, this is underway, and ensembles from the VSO presented 15 subsidized concerts in southeastern Vermont schools last spring.

Keep reading!

Symphony Sampler, August 28, Newport

Symphony Sampler is a lakeside event in Newport offering music, dinner, and raffles, to benfit the VSO's activities in the North Country. The Dancing Sail will provide a gourmet buffet (cash bar), and there will be a multi-prize raffle. There are two grand prizes: an overnight at the Doubletree Hotel in Burlington plus tickets for the VSO’s October 24 Masterworks concert in Burlington; and a handmade “Symphony Sampler” quilt created by Carolyn Ferrara. In addition, an Adirondack chair with original artwork by Earl Whitmore will be auctioned off during the course of the evening.

Musical entertainment will be provided by “Harp & Soul” (VSO musicians Heidi Soons, harp, and Anne Janson, flute) as well as two local high school musicians: cellist Sylvia Woodmansee of Westfield and flutist Emily Wiggett of Barton. “Harp & Soul” will perform excerpts from their popular school program, and the young musicians will join them for selections by Vivaldi, Bach, and others.

Emily Wiggett, age 17, was born and raised on a dairy farm in Barton, Vermont. She enjoys exhibiting her registered Jersey cattle at local shows. She will be a senior at Lake Region Union High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society. She has studied flute and piccolo with Berta Frank of Jericho for the past four years. Emily is a member of the Vermont Youth Orchestra and will perform as a soloist with the Vermont Youth Philharmonia during the coming season.

Sylvia Woodmansee, age 16, lives in Westfield and attends North Country Union High School. She has been playing the cello for five years, and studies with Mary Lou Rylands in East Craftsbury. She also studies piano (equally seriously) with Paula Ennis in Stowe. Sylvia has participated in the All State Orchestra as well as various chamber music camps. Aside from music, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, and gardening.

Carolyn Ferrara is a member of the VSO’s regional board of trustees (the North Country Friends of the VSO). She says “I was motivated to design and make this quilt after listening to a marvelous performance by the VSO. Without the composers who wove notes into glorious scores, there would be no VSO. Their genius created music that has endured through the ages. The Vermont Symphony Orchestra and its exceptionally talented musicians have continued to convey the rich heritage of these composers to the public’s appreciation and delight.” The quilt, which measures 55" x 66."

Earl Whitmore, Sr., is Case Manager at Eagle Eye Farms of West Burke, and also serves as the Jay Peak Ski Area Children’s Program Director. Michael Racine, Eagle Eye Farm Vocational Program Director, will assist with construction of the chair. The tradition of auctioning off a painted Adirondack chair began at last year’s Symphony Sampler event, where the “chair art” was created by Katy Kavanagh.

The cost for the event is $30 for adults; $25 for ages 13-17; $20 for under age 13. Attendance is limited. All proceeds go towards VSO concerts and educational programs in the North Country. Last season the VSO’s SymphonyKids programs reached over 2500 school children in 17 presentations serving 27 schools in 23 different communities in Orleans and Caledonia Counties.

Good music, good company, good food, and a good cause! To make a reservation or to get more information about “Symphony Sampler,” call 802-334-8110 or 1-800-876-9293 ext. 10. Keep reading!