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MSO League
Part of the Madison community since 1956, the Madison Symphony Orchestra League (MSOL) Is an organization of more than 350 members committed to supporting the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s artistic, financial and educational mission. Discover more:
madisonsymphony.org/ msol
HONORING JUDY TOPITZES
Five years ago, the MSOL created the John DeMain Award for Outstanding Commitment to Music The award recognizes an individual or individuals for their longstanding and unwavering support of the League, the Madison Symphony Orchestra and music in the community. The presentation of the award is the focal point of the League’s Symphony Gala fundraiser in September.
Since Stan and Shirley Inhorn received the first award, the MSOL has given the award to Valerie Kazamias, Marilyn and Jim Ebben, Carolyn White, and, most recently, to Marian Bolz. Each individual or couple had a unique story of their involvement with music. Our 2020 recipient Judy Topitzes, who will receive her award when the Gala returns in 2021, is no different.
Judy’s love of music began at home in Marinette, WI, where she grew up in a musical family; her father, a graduate of Lawrence Conservatory, taught band and orchestra. She has memories as a child of listening to Wisconsin Public Radio classic music broadcasts at breakfast. “I begged my father to give me piano lessons when I was four and began lessons with other teachers at six, “says Judy, who explains “I took violin lessons and played in school orchestra through high school. Our family attended local subscription concerts, and I performed in the community Handel’s Messiah performances both in choirs and orchestras.” She sang in her father’s church choir and in the summer, the music didn’t stop; Judy, her parents, and sibling sang duets during summer services when the choir was on vacation!
Her commitment to music as a young person brought her to Madison for state school music competitions and to attend the UW Summer Music Clinic. As a University of Wisconsin student, she sang in a campus church choir and was a member of the Wisconsin Union Music Committee. She remembers chairing publicity for the Isaac Stern concert in the Union Theater. “My reward was to sit next to Mr. Stern at a post-concert dinner!”
Her active support of music as in our community continued through her volunteer involvement with the Madison Symphony Orchestra League, the Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras, and more. She joined the MSOL in 2001 and chaired numerous committees and fundraising events during that time and was President of the League from 2005-2007. She has served on the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Board as a Director or Advisor since 2005. She was a member of the Madison Symphony Chorus and sang with the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Choir for almost 25 years. In her professional career, she was a social worker with the Madison Metropolitan School District. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Masters WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MSOL MEMBERS! of Science in School Work from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She and her husband Nick have Michael Bridgeman two grown sons. and Jack Holzhueter
The MSOL looks forward to celebrating Judy’s Ann L Dettwiler lifelong passion for music and commitment to music in Madison next September. The League welcomes Gary Regis Goyke all who share a love of music and want the fellowship and Nancy M. Rottier of other music lovers, like Judy Topitzes, to join the League. Membership activities support the Symphony’s Norman A. Johnson Community Engagement and Education programs.
MSOL REPRESENTED ON THE LEAGUE OF AMERICAN ORCHESTRA’S VOLUNTEER COUNCIL
The Madison Symphony Orchestra is one of the 1,700 orchestras represented by the League of American Orchestras, which links a national network of thousands of instrumentalists, conductors, managers and administrators, board members, volunteers, and business partners. The MSO’s Education Director Kathryn Schwarzmann is currently serving as co-chair of its Education Leadership Committee. The Madison Symphony Orchestra League has a seat at the table, too!
MSOL member Janet Cabot is one of 17 members on the League’s Volunteer Council. She is the third MSOL member invited to represent fellow volunteers nationally; Marian Bolz served on the Council from 1980-1985 and Marilyn Ebben from 2005-2007. The Volunteer Council, launched in 1964, brings together representatives of volunteer associations affiliated with orchestras of all sizes from across the country to exchange ideas and knowledge. The Council recognizes outstanding volunteer projects with annual awards, shares information through Volunteer Notes emailed quarterly to volunteers, and plans volunteer-specific sessions during the League National Conference.
PARTIES OF NOTE
Madison Symphony Orchestra League’s Parties of Note reluctantly postponed 13 of its 2020 events because of the pandemic. Guests who were to have attended were most generous; many either made donations or designated “wait and see.” Guests were also offered the choice of a refund.
The pandemic has not curbed the Parties of Note Committee’s enthusiasm in planning for 2021. They are planning many exciting events and hope that the MSO community, especially those on waiting lists, will have options for a new event. In 2021, online registration will be even more important. Announcements will be made regarding the new season when the safety of having social events can be predicted.
The following 2020 parties have been rescheduled in 2021. Dates for remaining postponed events will be re-scheduled in the next couple months. Party Liaisons will contact attendees with new dates and specifics for each event.
There is a benefit of having a seat at the table. “No matter the size of our respective organizations and orchestras, we have common challenges and opportunities,” Janet Cabot states. “You learn about what worked for others and bring back new ideas. The perfect example is the MSOL’s popular Parties of Note, an award-winning program Marilyn Ebben heard about that was presented at Conference. She brought back the fundraising idea which MSOL has been doing ever since. In turn, it is wonderful when our successful projects are recognized and can provide inspiration to others. This year the MSOL won a Gold Award of Excellence for e-News and received a Spotlight Award for the Volunteer Appreciation Party held last May. There is nothing better than bringing attention to the MSOL and the work we
do to support the Madison Symphony Orchestra.”
Chamber Music Meets the Beatles:
To be re-scheduled in 2021.
Meet the Mighty Klais:
Re-scheduled for April 17, 2021.
Historic Homes of Maple Bluff:
Re-scheduled for May 19, 2021.
First Nation Peoples in Madison’s History:
Postponed to 2021.
Music in the Governor’s Mansion:
Re-scheduled for June 15, 2021. Summer Eve Tour of Lake Mendota: Postponed to 2021.
Paintings and Perennials:
Postponed to 2021.
Music and More in “Airplane House”:
Re-scheduled for July 25, 2021.
Adventure in Fused Glass:
Postponed to 2021.
Magnificent Monarchs:
Postponed to 2021.
Delightful Duet of Art and Architecture:
May be re-scheduled. Veterans Museum and Music: Re-scheduled for September 21, 2021.
SAVE THE DATE
MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LEAGUE
GOLF • CONCERT • DINNER
Concert on the Green will be held at Bishops Bay Country Club on Monday, June 21, 2021. Mark the date in your calendar and watch for more exciting information about our annual summer fundraiser in the next issue! Discover more:
