TRIUMPHANT FINALE

ASO fund drive passes goal; more than $7 million raised

Longtime River Market lawyer Carolyn Witherspoon and her husband, John, had more than fireworks in mind when they invited a few fellow symphony music lovers and friends to enjoy the July Fourth holiday on the private balcony of Carolyn's law firm overlooking the Arkansas River.

They clinked plastic cups of wine and congratulated one another on securing the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra's financial future for years to come.

As the group watched from above, the big announcement was made from the First Security Amphitheater below: ASO's three-year Orchestrating the Future campaign, which ended in June, pushed past its $7 million goal for building its endowment, supporting the orchestra during the renovation of Robinson Center and expanding music education programs.

Dr. Richard Wheeler, chairman of the ASO board of directors, and chairman-elect Jan Hundley joined a couple of dozen others at the second-story office of Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon and Galchus P.C. at 500 President Clinton Ave. Afterward, they enjoyed the symphony's annual Pops on the River concert and accompanying fireworks display. In addition to Wheeler and Hundley, Martin Thoma, Gus Vratsinas, Dr. Phil Peters and Philip Mann served as co-chairmen of the campaign.

"We wanted to ensure the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra remains not only accessible, but also sustainable for generations," said Christina Littlejohn, whose title with the orchestra was recently elevated from executive director to chief executive officer.

ASO was nearly broke when Littlejohn joined the staff seven years ago. Board giving in particular has increased more than 700 percent since then, she said.

"We were going to run out of money just in time for Christmas 2009," she said. "With lots of community support and musicians, board and staff work, we have broken even for seven years.''

The campaign's lead gift came from the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, which has long-supported the ASO. The first concert given by the symphony was held in the late Stella Boyle Smith's living room 50 years ago.

Smith established a trust fund for the symphony's permanent endowment in 1985. She attended nearly every performance and most rehearsals.

High Profile on 07/10/2016

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