New Name for New York’s St. Thomas Orchestra: Excelsior Symphony Orchestra
Tag: Volunteering
Total Eclipse of the Art: Bloomington Symphony Gives Free Outdoor Concert to Mark Solar Event
Colorado’s Volunteer Orchestras Bring Music—and Communities—to Life
In Praise of Community Orchestras
The Impact One Board Member and Supporter Can Make
Oklahoma City Philharmonic Names Brent Hart as Executive Director
Quad City Symphony Volunteer Group Earns Award
Houston Symphony League Earns Gold Award
Obituary: Barbara Tucker, longtime Detroit Symphony volunteer and fundraiser, League board member, 98
Arts advocate, fundraiser, and fashion consultant Barbara (Bebe Lou) Tucker, a resident of the Detroit area for over 60 years, died on December 16, 2020 in Maumee, Ohio. She was 98. Tucker was deeply involved with Detroit-area arts organizations, among them the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, where she held multiple leadership positions in the orchestra’s volunteer groups. She served on the Board of Trustees for DSO Orchestra Hall and was an active member of the Michigan Orchestra Association, the National Women’s Board of Northwood Institute, Concerned Citizens for the Arts in Michigan, the Arts Foundation of Michigan, and the Governors Arts Awards. In 1964 she represented the Detroit Symphony as part of the League of American Orchestras’ newly established Volunteer Council, and also served as Volunteer Council president. She supported the League for many years and served on the League’s Board of Directors. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Tucker worked in the fashion industry in New York City before marrying Richard Tucker in 1952. They moved to Detroit, where she worked in the fashion industry and began years of volunteer service to the Detroit community. She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Blakley. At present, no memorial is planned because of COVID-19 restrictions. Click here for a complete obituary.
Nearly half a century at the Owensboro Symphony, working and volunteering behind the scenes
“Carl Davis is not a native of Owensboro, but has called it home for several years,” writes Bobbie Hayse in Sunday’s (2/16) Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro, Kentucky). “He has a lot of pride in the area, particularly in the arts culture that thrives here. He has worn many hats in his life: ice cream shop proprietor, radio engineer, photographer. In all of that time, he has been involved with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra. For 47 years … he has held many positions within the organization … from recorder of performances to board member, volunteer and operations manager, to his current position as stage manager. And while many individuals may not recognize Davis in passing, if they have attended a symphony concert since Sept. 23, 1972, there’s a good chance he was somewhere behind the scenes ensuring the performance went on without a hitch. In his capacity as stage manager, Davis makes sure everything is in place at the beginning of concerts, and that performers and the conductor have everything they need…. Davis says if he ever ‘truly retires’ he will continue to attend symphony concerts. He believes the organization has a great future.”