The Guild

 
Spring Luncheon 5/22/25top of a Guild luncheon flyer for 5/22/25

Guild members and supporters enjoyed a luncheon at Beeb’s Sports Bar & Grill on Thursday May 22, with musical entertainment by the Aulos Duo: Catherine Jennings, flute, and Eva Langfeld, oboe.


Symphony Notes
Read the May 2025 edition of Symphony Notes (2.1MB pdf), the newsletter published by the Guild.
 

Harmony & Historic Home Tour 5/10/25
On Saturday May 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., more than 300 people toured eight historic homes in Livermore and enjoyed live music, too, at this fundraiser jointly produced by the LAS Guild and the Livermore Heritage Guild.
The tour photos below are by Rita Szollos.
The Love Livermore video promoted the tour and featured LAS Guild President PJ Wells.

photo of a home on the tour 5/10/25
photo of a home on the tour 5/10/25
photo of a home on the tour 5/10/25
photo of a home on the tour 5/10/25
photo of a home on the tour 5/10/25
photo of a home garden on the tour 5/10/25


Performists at the LAS Guild event on 4/24/25 April Gems
The Guild’s annual general meeting took place at the Bothwell Arts Center in Livermore on April 24. After the business meeting, the evening’s music featured four soloists from the LAS Competition for Young Musicians. Competition chair Anne Badders introduced the students. There were two piano players: Edward Xiong played a nocturne by Chopin, and Hiroshi Corro played Allegro Appassionato by Saint-Saëns. Charlotte Trinh performed the harp solo La Source by Zabel, and Matthew Lin played the first two movements of the vioin concerto by Glazunov. After some words of praise and inspiration by LAS music director Lara Webber for the technical skills and especially the heartfelt musicality of the students, everyone was invited by PJ Wells, as Guild president and MC, to enjoy refreshments provided by Guild board members.

 
Elizabeth Pitcain performing at the LAS Guild soiree on 4/11/25 Red Violin Soirée 4/11/25 This sold-out, private fundraising event organized by the Guild took place at a Livermore vineyard home on Friday April 11. It began with wine and hors d’oeuvres, included a recital by Elizabeth Pitcairn on her Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius violin, and ended with coffee and desserts. Pitcairn not only performed, with outstanding piano accompaniment by Miles Graber, but also gave some history of her violin and answered questions from the audience. Kudos to Sandra Hodzic, who created the menu and managed all the food preparation—with assistance on desserts from Guild members. It was a lovely evening with great music and lots of fun.


Sipping for the Symphony 10/11/24 and 3/28/25
We enjoyed great weather and beautiful views while having a very convivial time at Cuda Ridge Wines on October 11, made all the better because we raised funds for the Symphony at the same time! Thanks to Tim Barry’s music combo, the Jammies, Sipping for the Symphony fundraiser flyer on 10/11/24, 4 to 7 p.m. at Cuda Ridge Wineswho not only performed for us but also offered to play at a future show in exchange for a special donation to the Guild. And thanks to Cuda Ridge’s proprietor and winemaker, the generous Larry Dino.

On Friday 3/28/25 from 5 to 7 p.m., we again met at Cuda Ridge Wines. Thanks again to Larry Dino, the Jammies (including LAS President Tim Barry, who performed not only on guitar but also on violin!), our Guild volunteers (a special shout-out to Sandra Hodzic, who prepared the very attractive and delicious food), and to our festive sippers and supporters!


January Gems
The Guild sponsors January Gems, an afternoon of music featuring soloists from the LAS Competition for Young Musicians. Held on Sunday January 19 at the Bothwell Arts Center in Livermore this year, attendees enjoyed fine performances by Donghu Kim, cello, who played four of Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, and Yuzuka Williams, who played the first movement of Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 2. Refreshments provided by Guild board members were served after their performances.


Holiday Lunch
Guild board members and guests enjoyed a holiday lunch at Casa Orozco in Livermore on 12/4/24. Join us in 2025!

Guild president PJ Wells and VP Linda Miller at the holiday lunch
The Guild vice president and
president set the tone.
Mary J learns that the sweater contest she won had great prizes from Nancy McKenzie
The sweater contest winner gets a
great prize from the judge.
3 of the festive lunch-goers
Three of the
festive guests.
scene from another table
Scene at
one of the two tables.


Marches, Movies and Memories!
POPS on the Green
September 28, 2024

children queued up to conduct at Pops 2024 This was a free, fun event with family-friendly music for everyone! The symphony played music from James Bond films, Mary Poppins, Jurassic Park, Apollo 13, and more. Kids were invited to conduct the symphony, and many took up the challenge! Teenage jazz band Element 116 was featured in addition to our full symphonic orchestra of over 60 musicans playing from the outdoor Shea stage on the Bankhead Theater Plaza, 2400 First St, Livermore. Hot weather meant the audience headed for the shade, which left a sunny grassy area ideal for running, dancing kids undaunted by the heat!

As usual, our annual Pops concert was sponsored by the Symphony Guild. The concert was free, but donations to the Symphony were gratefully accepted by Guild helpers strolling in the audience. This year, their collection buckets, shown below, were quite distinctive!
(Our next Pops concert is on Saturday 9/27/25 at 3 p.m.)

plastic jack-o-lanterns used to collect donations at Pops 2024

 
Prelude Party
The Guild’s annual Prelude Party on September 12 was a kick-off to our innovative 2024–2025 musical season. The event included a dance recital from our very own local Valley Dance Theatre troupe and a reception of drinks and desserts after the performance. (photos by Claudia Barry)

Guild Prelude Party speakers PJ Wells (Guild President and Lara Webber (Music Director)
Guild President PJ Wells
and Music Director Lara Webber
Betsy Hausburg introducing Valley Dance Theatre entertainment at the Guild Prelude Party
Betsy Hausburg introducing Valley Dance Theatre entertainment
Tarantella dancers at the Guild Prelude Party
Tarantella dancers
Sleeves dancers with long red sleeves and soloist at the Guild Prelude Party
Asian Artistry soloist
and corps
 
flowers and a garden shed on the Garden Symphony Tour, 5/4/24


Garden Symphony Tour, May 2024
We want to extend a big thank you to all the wonderful garden and music enthusiasts who participated in our Garden Symphony Tour. Mother Nature had some unforeseen plans and provided rain for the first two hours of the May 4 tour, but she didn’t deter most people, who enjoyed seeing the beautiful gardens and being treated to live chamber music at most homes.
Many thanks to our very own LAS musicians who played despite the weather and to the homeowners who never lost their enthusiasm and welcomed an adoring public. Kudos to the hosts at the Harrington Garden, Newman Garden, Dennis Family Native Garden, Jefferson Garden, and Heidelberg Garden for their generosity and hospitality.
Contributions to this fundraiser are enriching local communities through the works of both the Livermore-Amador Symphony Guild and the Livermore-Amador Valley Garden Club, helping to fund two local, community-service, nonprofit groups with long histories of giving back to the Tri-Valley area.

April 2024 concert presentation of check from Guild to LAS Assn.
Guild President PJ Wells presented a check for $10,000 to
LAS Association President Tim Barry at the concert on 4/13/24.

 
January and April 2024 Meetings
The Guild’s annual winter and spring business meetings featured performances by five contestants from the LAS Competition for Young Musicians. Three of the students performed at January Gems and two more performed at the annual general meeting in April. Performing on the afternoon of January 21 at the Bothwell Arts Center in Livermore were Maggie Cai on violin, Jayden Chen on cello, and Ariel Pawlik-Zwiebel on violin. Performing on the evening of April 18 at the home of Tim and Claudia Barry in Livermore were pianist Hiroshi Corro on piano and Eileen Zhang on cello.

piano soloist Hiroshi Corro in April 2024
Soloist Hiroshi Corro at the April 2024 AGM
cello soloist Eileen Zhang in April 2024
Eileen Zhang performing at the April 2024 AGM
Lara Webber, PJ Wells, and soloists at January Gems 2024
(left to right:) LAS Music Director Lara Webber; soloists Ariel Pawlik-Zwiebel, Maggie Cai, and Jayden Chen; and LAS Guild President PJ Wells at January Gems 2024
Jayden Chen performing at January Gems 2024
Jayden Chen performing at January Gems 2024
holiday lunch 2023
Guild Board holiday lunch 12/20/23
 

season tickets sellers at the Guild table in the Bankhead at the December 2023 LAS concert
LAS Concert 12/2/23 Ticket Sales Team … Santa’s Elves?

Volunteering with the Guild and Having Fun
Guild President PJ Wells invited the board to join her for a holiday lunch at Casa Orozco in Livermore in late December 2023. The idea was to have some fun and food and get to know each other better. As she put it, “While this is pay-your-own way, is the Symphony/Guild camaraderie not priceless?” Guild members may hear about a similar event in 2024!

 
Join the Guild!

Membership types: Active members ($20/year) participate in all Guild activities; Associate members ($35/year) participate in at least one activity; and Friends ($50/year) are informed about Guild activities but not required to help.

To join the Guild, send your contact info (name / address / phone(s) / e-mail) and a check payable to Livermore-Amador Symphony Guild or L.A.S.G. to the Treasurer, LAS Guild, 583 Bell Ave, Livermore CA 94550. Note any areas you’d be especially interested in helping with. Or print and fill out an application form and mail it in with your check.

Adobe Reader icon Note: The application form is a pdf document; open it with Adobe Reader.

For more information, please email Guild President PJ Wells at pj.wells.ca@gmail.com or phone her at 925.245.0625.

 
Sipping for the Symphony Photos
This fundraiser was at Page Mill Winery, 1960 South Livermore Ave., in Livermore for three years, and on March 15 and October 11, 2024, we had Sipping events at Cuda Ridge Wines, 2400 Arroyo Road, Livermore. Sipping is organized by the Guild and has been supported by each winery. Guests enjoy musical entertainment, fine wines, delicious nibbles, and unique auction items. Usually two-thirds of the wine-tasting fees plus ten percent of all sales have gone to the LAS Guild.(The photos are from 9/23/21, 9/22/22, and 9/28/23.)

two women relaxing at Sipping 2023
Past Guild treasurer Joan Dickinson (left)
and current treasurer Judy McMurry. 2023
three friends at Sipping 2023
LAS Conductor Lara Webber (left)
with Phil King and Linda Tinney. 2023
musicians T Barry and B Herbert at Sipping 2023
Musicians Brad Herbert (left) and Tim Barry,
LAS Assn. president. 2023
studying some of the food at Sipping 2022
Wine to sip and good food to eat, too.
2022
Lana Hodzic and friends at Sipping
LAS violin player Lana Hodzic (2nd from left)
and friends. 2021
table scene at Sipping 2022
A relaxing table scene during
Sipping with the Symphony. 2022
Linda Tinney and Carole Lince at Sipping 2021
Linda Tinney, past Guild president,
and Carole Lince, event volunteer. 2021
Tim Barry and Brad Herbert at Sipping 2022
Musicians Tim Barry (guitar/mandolin/voice)
and Brad Herbert (electric bass). 2022
Beth Wilson and Kate Fisher making music at Sipping
Beth Wilson (flute) and Kate Fisher (cello),
one of two musical duos in 2021.

 
Purpose

The Guild is the highly dedicated support group and fund-raising branch of the symphony; it has been a (large, active!) auxiliary of the Symphony Association since 1963. Its purpose is to stimulate interest in the Livermore-Amador Symphony and to provide financial support. Membership is open to all who share this goal.

 
Meetings
The Guild meets four times a year (and its board meets about ten times a year); each meeting includes music and food in addition to a short business meeting. The first meeting each season is a prelude party in September, usually with a program by Valley Dance Theatre; other meetings are usually in January, April, and May.

Activities

The Guild’s activities are varied; for example, the Guild handles the annual season-ticket campaign of the Symphony, presents pops concerts, publishes a newsletter, and organizes estate sales. The Guild organizes “Sipping for the Symphony,” annual late afternoon / evening events at local wineries like Page Mill Winery and Cuda Ridge featuring music performed by LAS-related chamber groups. The Guild even raised several hundred dollars through Patxi’s Pizza in Livermore in 2018.

 
Bylaws
The current LAS Guild bylaws (89K pdf) went into effect on July 1, 2016.

 
2025–2026 Guild Officers

PJ Wells, President
Linda Miller, Vice-President
Sally Swanson, Recording Secretary
Judy McMurry, Treasurer
Beth Wilson, Immediate Past President

2024–2025 Guild Members
The 2025–2026 list will be posted later in the summer of 2025.

Anne Anaya
Anne Badders
Claudia Barry
Tim Barry
Carol Beck
Joyce Brown
Lisa Burkhart
Bob Canning
Patty Canning
Adela Cook
Joan Dickinson
Judy Eckart
Marcia Elchesen
Wendy Ellison-Rosenkilde
Sheila Fagliano
Alan Frank
Stuart Frazier
Patricia Fredericks
Nancy Fritsch
Janet Gabrielson
Leslie Grunewald
Dick Hatfield
Sandra Hodzic
Darlene Jeffries
Mary Jestice
Mary Ann Johnston
Penny Jones
Jean King
Shirley Koenig
Mary Kroesen
William Leach
Denise Leddon
Alex Lee
Leota Lee
Gwen Lewis
Jacqueline Luton
Nancy McKenzie
Judy McMurry
Linda Miller
Barbara Morrison
Joan Mumma
Janice Paquette
Martha Peterson
Maria Pomares
Michelle Rosenberg
Marie Ross
Mary Anne Rozsa
Carlotta Schauer
Lynn Seppala
Kathy Streeter
Sally Swanson
Linda Tinney
PJ Wells
Sarah Wharton
Patricia Wheeler
Anne White
Ayn Wieskamp
Beth Wilson
Pat Wintemute

Honorary Members
Bev Hamlin
Maudie Kuenning

 
2024–2025 Guild Directory
The most recent Guild directory (calendar, committees, addresses, etc.) is password-protected.

Changed as of 4/11/25 (since print publication date of 10/25/24):
LAS phone number is now 925.789.5724;
Guild Spring Meeting started at 6:30 p.m. at the Bothwell Arts Center;
added new members Stuart Frazier, Gwen Lewis, Leslie Grunewald, and Jacqueline Luton;
corrected phone number of Anne Badders;
Maudie Kuenning died on December 27, 2024;
Marie Ross died on November 27, 2024.

Symphony Notes, Past Issues

In addition to the May 2025 edition of Symphony Notes (2.1MB pdf), these past issues of the Guild newsletter are also available: April 2025 (837KB pdf), February 2025 (1.3MB pdf), December 2024 (1.5MB pdf), June 2024 (1.5MB pdf), April 2024 (1.3MB pdf), Feb. 2024 (1.1MB pdf), Dec. 2023 (1.6MB pdf), May 2023 (2.2MB pdf), April 2023 (1.3MB pdf), February 2023 (1.8MB pdf), December 2022 (1.6MB pdf), June 2022 (1.7MB pdf), April 2022 (1.3MB pdf), February 2022 (1.1MB pdf), Dec. 2021 (2.2MB pdf), June 2021 (5.2MB pdf) April 2021 (3.5MB pdf), February 2021 (3.8MB pdf), December 2020 (2.8MB pdf), June 2020 (1.4MB pdf), April 2020 (2.8MB pdf), February 2020 (2.9MKB pdf), May 2019 (669KB pdf), April 2019 (635KB pdf), February 2019 (2.3MB pdf), December 2018 (1.4MB pdf), May 2018 (1.8MB pdf), April 2018 (1.7MB pdf), February 2018 (1.4MB pdf), December 2017 (3.3MB pdf), May 2017 (3.2MB pdf), April 2017 (831KB pdf), February 2017 (819KB pdf), December 2016 (853KB pdf), May 2016 (1.1MB pdf), April 2016 (887KB pdf), February 2016 (849KB pdf), December 2015 (860KB pdf), May 2015 (3.1MB pdf), April 2015 (459KB pdf), February 2015 (1.6MB pdf), December 2014 (630KB pdf), May 2014 (714KB pdf), April 2014 (359KB pdf), February 2014 (2.6MB pdf), and December 2013 (370KB pdf).

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© Livermore-Amador Symphony Association