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BSO, Pops, Tanglewood, and Symphony Hall Logos

Quarter Notes

Office Notes

Hear from Erin Asbury, Manager of Volunteer Services, on everything that has happened since last issue.
a cream tabby cat curls up on a chair next to a desk
A view of Erin's home office.

Hello BSAV Members,

Hope this finds everyone warm and enjoying the holiday season wherever you might be! I am writing this from my cozy office with a faux fur blanket on my lap, and our dear kitty sleeping on his plaid blanket beside my desk. As much as I used to dread winter up here, I can now safely say there are parts of it I really enjoy.

I am delighted that audiences are more comfortable with attending concerts at Symphony Hall. Even with the added Covid protocols, concerts have been going very smoothly, and the orchestra sounds wonderful. And most importantly for me, our volunteers are doing a stellar job! Here are some photos of our volunteers in action from this fall!

A group prepares to hang up decorated garland and wreaths in a lobby
A woman watches as two others arrange garland along a staircase banister
A group of people stand on a staircase while holding decorated garland
A man observes as two women take decorations out of plastic bags
Three woman stand with a decorated Christmas tree that lines a lobby
A close-up of a bouquet of red, orange, and gold flowers and fillers
A group of women sit around a table and create flower arrangement with red, orange, and gold flowers and fillers
A group of people wearing masks stand outside a music hall
Three women and one man, all wearing masks, stand at open doors inside a lobby
Two women stand at an open door in a lobby and scan a woman's ticket

SAVE-THE-DATE: Our BSAV Named Concert at Symphony Hall will be on SUNDAY, February 13 at 3pm, with a pre-concert reception for BSAV members at 2pm (room TBD). Invitations and details will be sent nearer the date. Looking forward to seeing so many of you for our first post-pandemic gathering!

Tanglewood Updates

Now that Holiday Pops concerts have wrapped up at Symphony Hall, we’re thinking ahead to the summer- the Tanglewood announcement will be made in January! I hope to start self-scheduling for Tanglewood volunteers in February. You will get plenty of warning for when that happens.

Survey Results

Tanglewood survey results are in, and we are listening! We had a great response rate, and more than ever, it is guiding our trainings, events, and projects. This was obviously a very different summer, but the big takeaway was that everyone, patrons included, was thrilled to be back. Even better, they were understanding of the new normal and very flexible. We always are working to improve communications and trainings. It was clear from both survey and feedback that the shirts made volunteers very visible, but for various reasons (fit, fabric quality), a portion of volunteers felt that improvements should be made. Overall, wonderful feedback and thank you!

Tarps from Summer

One thing that was very clear is that the tarps were a hit, both in and outside Tanglewood! Here are a few fun photos volunteers shared with us with reusing these tarps!

A plate and a tray of appetizers on top of a green branded tarp

A Tanglewood Tarp makes a perfect picnic blanket.

A green tarp covers two bicycles parked against a railing outside

They also make excellent bike covers.

A woman stands on a green tarp on some grass with two yoga mats on the tarp

Anyone up for some yoga?

A little girl reads a book by three finger paintings sitting on a green tarp

A perfect tablecloth for arts and crafts.

Tanglewood Article in the Berkshire Eagle

I would be completely amiss if I didn’t point everyone to a fabulous article recently in the Berkshire Eagle by longtime Tanglewood usher David Scheraga, who began ushering in 1955 and continued for 60 years. It gives a great sense of how the Berkshires were in the early days of Tanglewood and beyond. Truly a wonderful must-read article.


Now back to Boston:

We welcome our new Boston Volunteers:

Yoojin Chung
Kristen Corman
Alanna Ferri
Suzy Hardy
Catherine Lafer
Brandon Lee
Rachel Lieberman
Natsumi Malloy
Nancy McCusker
Emily Reynolds
Michael Rubin
Alex Sieja
Kay Tabbarah
Mehala Vaidhyanathan

Community Chamber and BSCP concerts

I highly encourage you all to check out the Free Community Chamber Concerts offered by the BSO. These are held both at the Fenway Center on the corner of St. Stephen and Gainsborough Streets, and in various venues in the community.

If you feel like hearing world-class musicians in an intimate venue, check out the Boston Symphony Chamber Player Concerts, which feature BSO principals playing chamber music, and cost much less than a BSO ticket. These take place at Jordan Hall, located at the New England Conservatory across the street from Symphony Hall.

Deceased

At the BSAV, we work hard to recognize the passing of valued members of our community and the time and dedication they have afforded us. We want to remember the following BSAV members who have passed since our last Quarter Notes issue:

Norma Abrahams (TWD)

Richard Arpante, Sr. (TWD)

Arthur Barkan (BOS)

Don Barron (TWD)

Beth Benham (BOS)

Carolyn Brust (TWD)

Norine Casey (BOS)

George W. “Bill” Everhart (TWD)

Bev Fendrick (TWD)

Helen Fink (TWD)

Milt Fink (TWD)

Herbert Franklin (TWD)

Edith Frieder (TWD)

Joe Galvin (BOS)

Arthur Jackson (TWD)

Helen Landeu (TWD)

Mary Martin (BOS)

Terry Meacock (TWD)

Sumner Milender (TWD)

Philip Monheit (TWD)

Alan Morganstein (TWD)

Bob Rosenblatt (TWD)

Marc Rosenblum (TWD)

Freyda Sanders (BOS)

Howard Scarrow (TWD)

Charlotte Schulger (TWD)

Stan Shapiro (TWD)

Richard Silver (TWD)

Florence Speyer (TWD)

Jim Whipple (BOS)

Ron Winter (TWD)

Evelyn Zwerner (TWD)

If you know of the passing of a fellow volunteer, please contact the BSAV office at BSAV@bso.org so we may alert other volunteers.

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