Council
Since 1962, the Waco Symphony Council has been supporting and assisting the Waco Symphony Orchestra in many ways through service and fundraising. The Waco Symphony Council provides financial resources to fund scholarships to Baylor music students who play in the Waco Symphony Orchestra, sponsors Waco Symphony Orchestra concerts each year, and endows the Waco Symphony Conductor’s Chair, which is funded through the Waco Symphony Foundation.
One of the Waco Symphony Council’s main areas of emphasis involves Youth and Education Programs. Through sponsorships of the Waco Symphony Youth Orchestra and organizing annual Children’s Concert, reaching more than 6,000 fourth and fifth graders, opportunities are provided to expose young people to symphonic music. In addition, the Waco Symphony Council sponsors the Symphony Council Belles program for sophomore and junior girls, and the Symphony Council Brass program for junior boys. The Waco Symphony Council Belles and Brass enjoy leadership and service training, as well as seminars in music appreciation and concert and dining etiquette.
The Waco Symphony Council also honors Waco Symphony subscribers, who donate at the Patron Level and above, by organizing a Patron dinner each year. All members of the Waco Symphony Council are invited to attend preview parties/brunches which include a brief business meeting and featured talks by Maestro Larry Loh that enlighten us with details about the repertoire and composers of upcoming concerts.
The Waco Symphony Council welcomes both men and women as members, with many opportunities for friendship and service in the community. Becoming a Waco Symphony Council member is an excellent way to help keep the Waco Symphony strong.
Council President’s Message
The Waco Symphony Council was formed as a volunteer organization to help raise funds for the Waco Symphony Orchestra and to provide programs for children and young adults in the Waco area. It has been our honor to provide this support for 62 years. I am delighted to serve as the President of the Waco Symphony Council this year; thankful for the work done by all those who have come before me. There are many other volunteers working alongside of me, sharing their time, talent, and treasures. We are truly blessed to have such a fantastic orchestra made up of gifted musicians who share their gifts with us.
The Waco Symphony Council provides financial resources to fund scholarships to Baylor students who play in the Waco Symphony, supports the Waco Symphony Youth Orchestra, sponsors a Waco Symphony Orchestra concert each year, and endows the Waco Symphony Council’s Conductor’s Chair, which is funded through the Waco Symphony Foundation.
We expose students to the joys of classical music through the Waco Symphony Youth Orchestra and the children’s concert which will bring an estimated 6,000 Waco area students to Waco Hall for concerts on November 12. On December 14 and 15, we will volunteer at the Nutcracker Ballet where families come to Waco Hall to enjoy this holiday classic while creating magical memories. Additionally, the Waco Symphony Council sponsors the Symphony Belles and Brass Program, which offers opportunities for leadership training, dining etiquette lessons, and music appreciation. You will meet these students who serve as greeters at symphony concerts and other Waco Symphony and Waco Council events. The Junior Belles and Brass will be presented in Waco Hall on Saturday, April 5, 2025, and will celebrate at a Presentation Ball at Ridgewood Country Club following the presentation.
The Waco Symphony Council is planning a fundraising event on Saturday, February 1. Stay tuned to learn of all the details and plan to show your support of the Waco Symphony Orchestra by attending this special event. You can also support the Waco Symphony Orchestra by becoming a member of the Waco Symphony Council and becoming involved as a volunteer.
This is going to be a fabulous year as we welcome the Waco Symphony Orchestra’s third conductor, Maestro Lawrence Loh, to Waco. I hope you enjoy the music Maestro Loh has planned as we celebrate a season of New Frontiers!
Waco Symphony Council Officers 2024-2025
President: Liz Arend
President-Elect: Endyia Sterns
Fundraising Vice-President: Christy Lewis
Youth Programs Vice-President: Lisa Alcorn
Social Vice-President: Jennifer Richie
Belles & Brass Vice-Presidents (Co-chairs): Lindsey McEachern, Jordan Swann
Membership Vice-President: Suzanne Alexander
Recording Secretary: Michelle Johnson
Corresponding Secretary: Glenda Strum
Treasurer: Lynda Dyer
Immediate Past President: Elizabeth Barnhill
Advocacy: Paula McReynolds
TASO Conference Co-Chairs: Suzanne Alexander, Marsha Green, Dianne Sawyer
TASO Conference Treasurer: Paula McReynolds
Become A Member
What Does the Waco Symphony Council Do?
We support the orchestra by:
- Funding scholarships for Baylor music interns
- Sponsoring an annual WSO concert
- Funding support for the Waco Symphony Youth Orchestra
- Endowing the Conductor’s Chair
- Supporting youth concerts and hosting Children’s Concerts for more than 5,000 students
Benefits of Joining
As a member, you’ll receive invitations to Preview Parties and have the opportunity to build lasting friendships while supporting music education and community engagement.
Membership Costs
Membership levels range from $50 to $350. Join online through the Waco Symphony Council’s BetterUnite membership form.
For membership information, please call the Waco Symphony office at 254-754-0851 or email info@wacosymphony.com.