Welcome to the Women’s Symphony League of Austin’s 70th year! We are a group of over 600 women dedicated to keeping the music playing by fulfilling our dual mission: to provide service and financial support to the Austin Symphony Orchestra and its programs, and to offer educational opportunities for children in the community to further develop their appreciation for music.
The WSL is the largest annual contributor to the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The ASO is Austin’s oldest performing arts organization and for their 112th season they are excited to take audiences on an escape around the globe. We can’t wait to be a part of the wonderful musical experience. In our efforts to provide financial support, we are excited to begin our year with the 67th Annual Jewel Ball The Secret Garden and its signature events: the Soireé Dansante “A Night in the Garden” and the Fashion Luncheon “Fashion and Florals.” Soireé Dansante takes place traditionally on the Sunday evening before Labor Day and is attended by Greater Austin 9th and 10th graders. A couple of weeks later, the Fashion Luncheon attendees will enjoy the fabulous guest speaker Lisa Rinna, renowned American actress and television personality. The culminating event is the Jewel Ball, where arts supporters and their families celebrate their love of music and the ASO through this formal celebration and fundraising event.
The WSL’s opportunities for financial support to the ASO extend beyond the Jewel Ball events. Preparations are underway for our nationally recognized and award-winning Red Haute Valentine’s Party and Children’s Style Show, featuring a one-of-a-kind children’s fashion show introducing the latest style trends for toddlers through teens.
In addition to our fundraising efforts, the WSL provides service to the ASO through volunteerism for a variety of programs. We provide volunteers to pass out programs at the Hartman Foundation Concerts in the Park during the summer. We are thrilled to work with ASO to bring back Children’s Day Art Park which is now known as Tuneful Tales. We decorate for the ASO’s Halloween Children’s Concert and the Sarah and Ernest Butler Pops Series. We help escort school children from the buses into the Long Center to attend the Young People’s Concerts. One of our most popular volunteer placements is providing the ASO musicians with dinner at the Masterworks Series rehearsals. This year, we are excited to continue providing volunteers to serve as a Welcome Committee for the ASO concerts and a Done-In-A-Day Committee to help with other small service needs to the ASO throughout the year.
We couldn’t accomplish any of this without the support of our wonderful members! I would like to thank each and every one of you for sharing your dedication, time, effort and talents. I would especially like to thank our Fundraising Event Chairs, Board of Directors and Executive Committee. I am looking forward to a fun year, to gathering together again in-person, to making new friends, and to contributing to the success of the WSL and ASO.
Sincerely,
Katie Kaighin
WSL President, 2022-23
