Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras TASO

Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras Why join TASO? TASO Celebrates Success!

TASO’s Mission Provide a forum for volunteers to exchange ideas

TASO’s Mission Assist in the support, development and promotion of symphony orchestras

TASO works for you Trains volunteers who support orchestras and those who lead their leagues or guilds

You can join us! Any organization that supports a symphony or chamber orchestra is eligible to join TASO as an active member. Any other organizations or individuals may join as non-voting affiliate members and are eligible to attend conference. Patron members are affiliates who provide increased financial support through their dues.

TASO Board Each member group has a representative on the TASO board.

Meetings The TASO Board meets 3 times a year in Dallas and at the Annual Conference site. The Annual Conference is open to all members at sites rotated among member organizations.

Juanita Miller Concerto Competition TASO sponsors a statewide music competition that was begun in 1997 and named in honor of TASO’s first president, Juanita Miller.

TASO Members Share TASO CongregateCongratulate Collaborate

CONGREGATE Take an in-depth look at the past year Keep abreast of how we may best serve the orchestras we support

COLLABORATE Workshops conducted by experts Interactive roundtable discussions and panels  Presentations by member groups Topics include Leadership, Membership, Projects and Fundraising. Recently added: Advocacy, Technology and Media/Public Relations

CONGRATULATE Award presentations in the areas of: Service Fundraising Education

CONGRATULATE Finalists make PowerPoint presentations and share information on their successful projects. Commended project finalists lead roundtable presentations and provide written materials to conference attendees.

CONGRATULATE Awards of Excellence Chosen from nominees statewide in each of three categories of Business, Volunteer, Legislator or Patron

CONGRATULATE Juanita Miller Concerto Competition Winner Performances The finalists in three divisions (strings, wind, piano) perform for the annual conference.

“Instrument Petting Zoo” Houston Symphony League “Bud to Bloom” and “Music Merit Scholarships” Women’s Symphony League of Tyler “Youth Music Scholarship Awards” Wichita Falls Symphony League Award-Winning Education Projects

Award-Winning Fundraising Projects “Painted Violins…..Strings Attached” Symphony League of Fort Worth “A Day by the Bay Home Tour” Houston Symphony League Bay Area “Alex Fleming Memorial Bowl” Women’s Symphony League of Tyler

Award-Winning Service Projects “Polar Express” Family Concert ‟ Women’s Symphony League of Tyler “Sunday Sounds” Waco Symphony Council

TASO Resources See our website at Read our quarterly newsletter, TASO News, for up-to-date information about member projects and activities.TASO News Apply to Texas Commission on the Arts for a grant to attend conference.Texas Commission on the Arts (right-click to open hyperlinks)

History The notion of a state organization was born in New Orleans when attendees from Texas were at the Women’s Association for Symphony Orchestras. Shortly thereafter an organizational meeting was held in Dallas that included representatives from 11 cities. Mrs. Henry S Miller, Jr. (Juanita) was elected the first president in 1967 in Houston.

First conference was held in El Paso in In 1997 TASO started a statewide youth concerto competition. Judges from prestigious music schools across the country select a finalists to compete for the grand prize of performing with an orchestra in Texas.

TASO Today! Celebrates its 42nd anniversary in 2009 Boasts 32 member organizations, including the New Mexico Symphony Guild Showcases TASO members in the news  Painted Violins... Strings Attached Painted Violins... Strings Attached  Women's Symphony League Adopts Italian Theme for Games Women's Symphony League Adopts Italian Theme for Games  Houston Symphony Gala 2009