Membership in our diverse and engaging organization lets you:
- Become a valued partner in helping the Spokane Symphony maintain its decades-long legacy of musical excellence, community outreach, and education.
- Your support comes in different invaluable forms which include monetary, volunteer service, and recruiting new members.
- Develop new skills and use your existing ones in ways you never imagined!
- Make new friends and join in with friends you already know in Spokane Symphony Associates.
- Increase your appreciation for classical music and all the music that our multi-talented symphony and youth symphonies play — and you’ll be glad you made the decision to help keep the music playing!
Chapters
The Spokane Symphony Associates has 8 active chapters. The purpose of the Chapters is to provide individual fundraisers within SSA while creating friendships and supporting our great Spokane Symphony. In addition to their fundraisers, each chapter supports SSA’s largest fundraisers: Christmas Tree Elegance and Upscale Sale.
VP Membership: Bruce Colquhoun
Bernstein
Chapter Chair/Co-Chair
Katherine Corrick & Michal R. Bailey
The Bernstein chapter started in the 1960s and is named after composer Leonard Bernstein. Chapter members meet monthly, (usually on the 4th Tuesday), 8-10x/year for lunch. The chapter’s purpose is to support the Spokane Symphony through their event, “Bloom in Tune” held in May at a local nursery, as well as donating to and supporting the Upscale Sale and Christmas Tree Elegance. Individual members may assist with other fund-raising opportunities and symphony support throughout the year.
Bloom in TuneCantabile
Chapter Chair:
Sherry Fischer
The name “Cantabile” means singable or song-like.
Cantabile, started in 2010, grew from a desire to involve current and former Spokane Symphony Chorale members in money-raising activities to benefit the Symphony. Cantabile members also sing in the Symphony Chorale and with other vocal groups around town. The Cantabile Chapter of SSA should engage in fundraising, promotional, and/or educational activities, that support the Symphony, focusing on vocal music.
Examples of past money-raising activities include an annual Spring Concert, Poetry to Music, and a Vocal Health Workshop.
Ferden
Chapter Chair:
Kathy Morris
The Ferden chapter started in 1988 and was named after music director Bruce Ferden (1985 – 1991). This active chapter started with doing receptions for the Symphony. The current fundraiser, Upscale Sale, was started by Ferden member, Susan Kennedy, and is SSA’s second-largest annual fundraiser. Upscale Sale has become a regional favorite with everyone. The entire SSA organization as well as members of our local community contribute items and time to this successful event.
Volunteer or Contribute to Upscale Sale
Forte Plus
Chapter Chair:
Betsy Johnson
Founded in 1986, this chapter was created with the idea to help members keep in touch and get to know one another. They began by having small parties all over the city called “Let’s Play for the Symphony.” Through the years, the event has become a single day of fun tabletop games, raffle drawings, and a silent auction at the Manito Golf & Country Club. In 2019, this event celebrated its 30th year. This event is now called “Let’s Pay for the Symphony” where members contribute to the Spokane Symphony.
Hampson
Chapter Chair:
Carole Folsom
The Hampson chapter began in 2005, and is named for baritone Thomas Hampson. This chapter contributes volunteer hours and money to Christmas Tree Elegance and Upscale Sale.
Kozinski
Chapter Chair:
Doug Belanger
Named after former music director Stefan Kozinski, this chapter provides gift bags to the guest artists (musicians and conductors) who perform with the Symphony. These gift bags are appreciated by all of the Symphony’s guest performers. A new fundraiser, the Kozinski Mask Project, with the help of members of our art community, involves creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind masks, to be auctioned off at a later date.
Rockwood
Chapter Chair:
Maureen Boutz
The SSA chapter at Rockwood began in 2004. It is currently the largest chapter with more than 100 members. This growing group sponsors the Spokane Symphony’s Holiday Pops concert every year. For 10 years, this chapter participated in Christmas Tree Elegance with their own tree. Now individuals within the chapter contribute and give their time to other trees at Christmas Tree Elegance and help at the annual Upscale Sale.
Thulean
Chapter Chair:
Lucretia Pladera
Created in the late 1960s, the Thulean Chapter was started by Katherine Gellhorn, and was named for music director Donald Thulean (1962-1984). Their current fundraiser is called the Uneventful Event. Members contribute to the Symphony without the stress of putting on a money-raising project. They contribute volunteer hours and money for Christmas Tree Elegance, Upscale Sale, and other fundraising events.
Unaffiliated Members
These members are not affiliated with any of the chapters. They give support to all of the fundraisers by providing volunteer hours and financial support. This is a great option for people who have limited time and still desire to be included in SSA activities.