The Texas Association for Symphony Orchestras, as we know it today, cel-ebrated its 40th Anniversary in Dallas at the first All-Host TASO Conference held at the Adolphus Hotel in April 2007. Austin can be proud of its affiliation with TASO for each of those forty years. Sug Danforth, 1966-67 WSL President, served on the very first two boards of directors as a vice president and chair for publicity. During its first seventeen years the organization was known as TWASO, Texas Women’s Association for Symphony Orchestras.

 The purpose of TASO is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information designed to promote, develop and support symphony orchestras. This is accomplished through the meetings of the board of directors, newsletters, a website and annual conference. While it retains Texas as part of its name, TASO membership is open to volunteer groups outside of Texas that support a symphony or chamber orchestra. TASO began with only 13 member cities and added another during its first year and prior to its first conference. Today, TASO is comprised of 31 member organizations.

 For the past eighteen years TASO has given annual Awards of Excellence in each of three categories to recognize distinguished support of the arts, and specifically support for symphonies and music, in Texas. From among the deserving nominees submitted by member organizations, selections are made and the awards are given at conference each year, one each for a Business, a Volunteer, and a Legislator/Patron. Awards have been given to the following nominees from Austin: Mary Padgett, Jane Sibley, Willie Mae Strandtmann, Peggy Brown, Betty King, Teresa and Joe Long, Bob Bullock, then Governor and Mrs. George W. Bush, McDonald’s, HEB, Dell Computer, and most recently Julian Gold. We can all be very thankful and proud that our community has so frequently prevailed as being the city with such outstanding contributions. At the 2006 Conference in Midland, Mary Padgett was honored for 30 years consecutive service on the TASO board with a special recognition from the Governor of Texas.

 In 2007 TASO entered its second decade of sponsorship of a state youth concerto competition named for Juanita Miller of Dallas, founder and first presi-dent of this organization. Many talented young high-school musicians audition each year before a panel of nationally-recognized judges for the grand prize of performing with a symphony orchestra, and also for cash awards to further their music education. The three winners, first place from each division, also perform at the annual conference.

 For the most recent conference, Mary Padgett designed the conference logo and the art for special events invitations/programs.  For the 40th Anniversary Luncheon honoring TWASO/TASO past presidents, Grace Boner wrote an abbreviated history, decade by decade, called “High Notes” to commemorate the special occasion. The conference keynote speaker was Carnegie Hall Archivist and Museum Director Gino Francesconi. Austin is scheduled to host the 2011 TASO Conference. It is sure to be another great one! 

Link: www.tasovolunteers.com