The Elmhurst Symphony Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2012 Silver Measure Award, presented at the ESA annual dinner each June to volunteers for outstanding service to the Elmhurst Symphony over many years.
The award, which was begun in 1984, recognizes contributions made by each of the recipients to the welfare of the orchestra and to the quality of life in the community. This year’s winners, Tim Rounds, Sue Coons, and James Krainc, truly represent the spirit of volunteering both within the Symphony and in the wider community.
Tim Rounds, a long-time resident of Elmhurst, began his volunteer work with the ESO in 2002 as a board member and chair of the marketing and the program, planning and development committees. Using skills from a 32-year career in marketing, which made him “a perfect fit for the needs of the ESO,” Tim assisted with two audience surveys and gleaned information about the economic impact the orchestra has on the community which is still used today by ESO in grant applications. Tim has also served on the Music Committee and the Endowment Trust and this year chairs the Endowment Committee and sits on the ESO Board of Directors. As an active member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Tim has served six terms on council and chairs the Call to Care Group, which ministers to the homebound. Tim also tutors at MohawkSchool in Bensenville, serves as an advisor to the Hardin Institute at ElmhurstCollege, and has been active in Elmhurst politics.
A member of the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra since 1984 in both the violin and viola sections, Sue Coons’ involvement in the ESO runs the entire gamut of volunteer possibilities. She has been the orchestra’s librarian, recently ended her term as the Auxiliary’s president, serves as an ESO board member, and was the chair of this year’s annual dinner. Sue was a member of the ESO’s 50th anniversary gala committee and is described as “a presence at every Symphony concert and fund-raising event.” In addition to teaching private violin and viola lessons, Sue volunteers at Evangelical Covenant Church of Hinsdale, singing in the choir, serving on committees, and playing in and directing the handbell choir for over 30 years. She is also active in community organizations. Among Sue’s many nominations for the Silver Measure Award were frequent comments about how much she does for the ESO, praise from fellow orchestra members for her calm demeanor, and salutes to her dedication to the Symphony.
James Krainc of Elmhurst, described as a “very silent, behind the scenes, selfless, loyal and hard working volunteer,” is at work many evenings and weekends to update and maintain the Symphony’s computers, software and programs that are essential to the organization’s success. This “incredibly indispensable” volunteer has undertaken installation and maintenance of the ESO’s data bases and other programs, keeps its computers in working order, helps with silent auction fund raisers, and advises staff on purchase of new equipment, all to ensure that the ESO’s essential management functions support the Symphony’s goal of providing quality musical and concert-going experiences to residents of the western suburbs and beyond.
The ESA salutes and thanks its Silver Measure Award recipients!
In addition to the Silver Measure Award ceremony, the Annual Dinner included a musical performance by ESO members Claudia Cryer, Naomi Bensdorf-Frish, Dianne Ryan, and Music Director Dr. Stephen Alltop and a tribute to the Auxiliary of the Elmhurst Symphony, which has disbanded after many years of service to the ESO. Maestro Alltop concluded the celebratory evening with a preview of the ESO’s 52nd season, “The Power of Music,” which begins October 13