The 50th anniversary of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Guild was celebrated at a May 17 luncheon at the Governor's Mansion.
First lady Susan Hutchinson, who is a member of the guild, was in attendance.
"The symphony is a wonderful ministry to the soul, the mind and the heart," Hutchinson told the guests.
Guild President Ouida Keck served as master of ceremonies. One of the highlights of the program was a mini concert of three George Gershwin pieces by pianist Tatiana Roitman Mann, wife of the orchestra's music director and conductor, Philip Mann, who is stepping down at the end of the symphony's 2018-19 season.
The guild presented ASO Executive Director Christina Littlejohn with two checks totalling $65,000, an amount much greater than she was expecting. Some of the money was from the guild's biannual fundraiser, the Arkansas Symphony Designer House. This year's house attracted 4,000 visitors and raised about $115,000.
At the end of the luncheon, Nikki Lawson was elected the next chairman of the guild.
High Profile on 05/27/2018