Symphony Trustees Aiding In Endowment Campaign

Those who are financial stewards and administrators of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra and those who perform its music are helping raise funds for the symphony’s endowment campaign, begun last week.

As incoming president of the symphony’s board of trustees, Bridget Piper will direct the trustees’ portion of the campaign, with the help of four other trustees: Vernice Cohen, Garry Shea, Lynne Burke and Susan Kennedy.

“To help set the pace for the campaign, it is essential to engage the board of trustees,” Piper said. “We have an outstanding board whose members have been involved in the strategic planning for the campaign and know what the challenges are for the symphony’s future.”

The early part of the campaign is also soliciting funds from the symphony’s administration and orchestra members.

Carolee Kelly, director of finance, will lead the administration division, while Linda Siverts, principal keyboard musician, and Cameron Dunlop, trombone, are co-directors for the musicians’ division.

The symphony hopes to raise between $3.5 million and $4.5 million to provide ongoing support for the symphony. Harriet J. Fix and Betsy Cowles are general co-chairwomen for the campaign.

The art of strumming Guitar players from novice to intermediate are invited to attend a one-week immersion class in Northwest Montana June 23 to 27.

“Guitar on Flathead Lake” will be at the Dream Catcher Retreat Center, four miles northwest of Polson.

There will be classes for non-players, beginners and intermediate players. It’s designed for adults, but teens are welcome.

Instructors include Judy Harding, who has taught guitar workshops throughout Montana; Susan Hove-Pabst, a music education professor at Black Hills State University and organizer of the Black Hills Folk Festival; and Doug Ruhnow, a professional musician and music teacher in Spearfish, S.D.

Registration before June 2 is $110, and $120 after that date. To register, or for more information, contact Hove-Pabst at (605) 642-5175, or shpabst@rapidnet.com. Information about limited on-site camping and rooms is available by calling (406) 883-3354.

Try out!

Auditions for “Black Comedy,” a play by Peter Shaffer and presented by the Spokane Civic Theatre, will be at 7 p.m. May 19-20 at Cavanaugh’s Inn at the Park.

Director Norm Gano needs five men and three women to tell the story of a girl who introduces her wealthy father to her fiance, a poor sculptor who steals furniture from the next-door apartment to impress him.

Auditioners are asked to prepare by reading the script, available at the theater office.

“Black Comedy” will be staged July 10 through Aug. 2.

For more information, call Civic’s office at 325-1413.

Theatre Ballet of Spokane and the Jazz It Up Performing Company will conduct combined open auditions at the Ballet Arts Academy from 5:30-8:30 p.m. May 20.

Theatre Ballet of Spokane is a nonprofit organization, presenting performances throughout the community. Potential performers must be at least 12 years old, taking three weekly ballet classes.

The performing group Jazz It Up offers dance students the opportunity to polish their skills. Students must be at least 12 years old and at the intermediate or advanced jazz level.

Students and one parent must attend a mandatory meeting prior to the audition, at 5:30.

For more information on auditioning for either dance studio, call 838-5705.

Dance teachers seminar

Kevin Martin, director of Nutmeg Ballet’s Audition Tour, will host a seminar for dance teachers from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday at The Ballet Arts Academy, 408-1/2 Sprague.

Martin has performed with the Washington, D.C., Ballet, the Louisville Ballet and the Cincinnati Ballet during his 20-year career.

Seminar cost is $15. For more information, call 838-5705.

Art exhibit

Spokane Valley artist Arlene Mork has several works on exhibit at the Art Echoes Gallery in the skywalk level of the Sherwood Mall, 510 W. Riverside. Her exhibit, “Between Nature and Spirit,” features water scenes in oil, collages and silk paintings.

The exhibit continues through the end of May. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Down South

A painting by Spokane artist Shari May has been selected for exhibit at the National Juried Fine Arts Exhibit in New Orleans’ World Trade Center. The show, sponsored by the West Bank Art Guild, runs through May 25.