Elmhurst Symphony Announces Silver Measure Award Recipients
The Elmhurst Symphony Association is pleased to announce Richard Kiep and Irmgard Olson as recipients of the 2011 Silver Measure Award, presented at the ESA annual dinner onJune 7 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.
A resident of Elmhurst since 1967, Richard Kiep has enjoyed classical music since he was in 7th grade. He has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1961 and has used his financial expertise in volunteer work for the ESO, previously serving as treasurer of the Elmhurst Symphony Association board and since then assisting staff and subsequent treasurers with budgets, audits, financial reports, and tax matters. His ability to translate financial documents to those with less financial background has been a great help to both board members and staff. Those who work with Richard describe him as a “quiet volunteer,” one who works behind the scenes, spending many hours each month ensuring that the ESO’s financial activities are well-managed. A recent project with which he helped staff was the Cultural Data Project, a time-consuming grant data-gathering process which required a major revision of accounting methods for grant writing; it will allow the ESO to search new databases and apply for more grants. Executive Director Cynthia Bergquist Krainc says, “Richard is a prince. He is always a calm voice at the other end of the telephone line, willing and able to answer any and all questions. His help is invaluable in making the ESO the successful organization it is.”
Irmgard Olson, also a resident of Elmhurst since 1967, has been a member of the Elmhurst Symphony Auxiliary since 2005, but her volunteer efforts for the ESO go back 25 years when she began helping with mailings and other clerical tasks in the office. Countless hours later, she still assists there when needed. Retirement from positions teaching German at COD and at a travel agency gave her time to be part of the Auxiliary, and Irmgard was soon involved in its activities. She has been a member and for the past four years the co-chair of the Auxiliary committee responsible for preparing meals for the orchestra on concert days, soliciting and preparing food for the 80+ musicians between rehearsal and performance. Irmgard has also helped with Auxiliary silent auctions and Pops concerts through the years. She is an active volunteer at her church, Epiphany Lutheran, assisting weekly in the church office, managing the church’s drop-off box for used clothing, and serving at PADS once a month with her husband, Keith. It is through his interest in classical music that Irmgard has grown to love it, she says. Mary Lou Saville, who presented the award to Irmgard, said she is the perfect example of a volunteer and extended her thanks on behalf of both the Symphony and the Auxiliary.
In addition to the Silver Measure Award ceremony, the annual dinner included recognition of two important milestones: the 15th anniversary of Stephen Alltop’s leadership of the ESO and the 70th wedding anniversary of long-time ESO supporters and former Silver Measure Award winners Arnold and Dora Schenk. The Schenk’s shared an anniversary cake with those at the dinner, and Maestro Alltop concluded the celebratory evening with a preview of the ESO’s 51st season, which begins October 15.