Chair’s Column from Judy D’Ambrosio

As we start 2026, I have been thinking about New Year’s resolutions, defined as personal commitments to improve oneself at the start of the year, often focusing on mental, health (exercise, eating well), finances (saving money, budgeting), personal growth (learning skills, reading), or relationships (family time, connecting). Volunteering can benefit an individual’s mental, physical, and professional well-being, as well as for the community at large. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Volunteers report better physical health than non-volunteers. Research has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older.”

I want to recap some of the recent activities supported by Ovation volunteers:

• At the annual Long Beach Symphony Golf Tournament at Virginia Country Club on December 3, 2025 Ovation volunteers were out in force helping make the fundraiser a success.

• In December, Instrument Petting Zoos (IPZ) were held for neighborhood children. New this year was the IPZ held at the Tichenor Clinic for Children in Long Beach. Staff at the clinic said the children really enjoyed the event.

• On January 28 and 29, 2026 Ovation volunteers helped make the Youth Concerts a huge success. Thousands of Long Beach fourth and fifth graders filed into the Terrace Theater. For some of the children it was the first time they were in the Terrace Theater and heard classical music. Additionally, volunteers hosted a VIP reception between youth concerts for our donors, sponsors, and special invited guests.

There are more volunteer opportunities coming up later this year and we will need your participation. We will be soliciting volunteers for Crescendo on May 3, 2026, additional Instrument Petting Zoos, refreshments for concert rehearsals for POPS and Classical, the Family Concert on June 7, 2026 and office support. Please watch your emails for more information. Remember Ovation Council meetings are open to all members. The Council meets at 4:00 PM on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 340 Nieto Ave Long Beach, CA 90814. A standing agenda item at these meetings is volunteer activities.

I hope that volunteering is on your resolution list for 2026 because volunteering is more fun than running on a treadmill.

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Youth Concerts:

Celebrating Inspiration: A Look at the Symphony’s Youth Concerts – by Nancy Fox

This January, the Long Beach Symphony once again opened its doors—and its stage—to approximately 12,000 4^th and 5^th graders from across our community for the annual Youth Concerts. Held on January 28 and 29, 2026, these concerts continued a cherished tradition of nurturing music appreciation, sparking curiosity, and giving students the unforgettable experience of hearing a live orchestra.

The Youth Concerts are among the most meaningful events of the Symphony’s season, and they are made possible in large part by the commitment of Ovation volunteers, who played a vital role throughout both days—greeting classes, guiding teachers and students to their seats, assisting with logistics, and helping ensure a welcoming and smooth-flowing experience for all attendees. Shepherding so many young people does not require any special skills, but it does require a large number of volunteers. This year, a total of 35 volunteers contributed more than 140 hours of service to the Youth Concerts. Though this number is remarkable, we could have used even more help, and it is our hope that more Ovation members will come forward next year for this emotionally rewarding program.

While the performances themselves are the heart of these concerts, the impact goes far beyond the music. For many students, this marks their first visit to a concert hall—and perhaps even their first encounter with a live orchestra. Moments like these can shape a young person’s educational and artistic journey for years to come. As we reflect on the success of this year’s Youth Concerts, we extend heartfelt gratitude to all who volunteered their time and energy. Your enthusiasm and dedication created an atmosphere of warmth and excitement that made these concerts not only possible, but memorable. We look forward to bringing this magic to even more young listeners in the years ahead.

On behalf of the Working Group, I want to thank everyone who attended the Ovation Orientation on December 3, 2025. This inaugural event was designed to enhance volunteer awareness of the Long Beach Symphony Association (LBSA) Governance Structure, Ovation’s Roles and Responsibilities for assisting LBS, and to make one-on-one connections with the various Ovation Committee Chairs. Assisted by Judy D’Ambrosio and Judy Way, I prepared the slide presentation. However, I am forever grateful to them for taking care of all the other details that made this another successful Ovation event. Input and comments from Kelly Ruggirello, Mark Hilmer and Victoria Chenevey were also greatly appreciated. Following a warm introduction by Council Chair Judy D’Ambrosio, Kelly Ruggirello gave an inspiring overview of the Vision and Mission of LBS, how LBSA is organized, and introduced the staff members that make things happen. Then, Judy presented a concise summary of the roles and responsibilities of the various committee chairs and their volunteers. She wrapped up her presentation by reminding us that volunteering is fun and rewarding as well as being a cherished LBS asset. The capstone activity was the breakout session that gave each attendee an opportunity to interact with Chairs to help them find how one of their passions could be converted to Ovation Treasure.

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give” (Kahlil Gibran)

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Chair’s Column from Judy D’Ambrosio

As Ovation Council Chair I would like to welcome you all to the 91st season of the Long Beach Symphony! Under the baton of Eckart Preu, we can look forward to an exciting Classical and Pops Season.

You may have noticed the revised look and feel of our SCORE newsletter. We are happy to announce that we have made recent changes to align with the new Symphony Notes. You should be receiving both communications. The Symphony Notes is sent to a broad audience and focuses on all topics related to the Long Beach Symphony. Our SCORE newsletter is designed specifically for our Ovation volunteer members and will continue to share information and updates relating to Ovation activities.

I am honored to be the Chair for Ovation this coming year. Serving with me on the Ovation Council are:

•             Secretary – Jennifer Jank
•             Treasurer – Victoria Sawtelle
•             Membership – Victoria Chenevey & Nicole Neesham

Committee Chairs:

• The Score Newsletter – Nancy Fox & Shelley ONeil
• Personal Communications (Ovation Cares) – Kay Marsik
• Tributes and Memorials – Judy Way
• Ovation Occasions – Kris Ajello
• Ovation Volunteers – Bobbie Cusato, Delfina and Glenn Skalland
• Rehearsal Receptions: Classical & Pops – Shannon Taylor (Classical) & Ethel Sanford (Pops)
• Education Programs – Ethel Sanford
• Fundraising – Victoria Chenevey
• Patron Engagement (Ambassador) – Mary and Steve Lang
• Vital Information Custodian–Victoria Sawtelle
• Parliamentarian–Joan Greenwood

There are many opportunities for service and fun as an Ovation volunteer.  This year, like past years, Ovation volunteers are needed at the Youth (January 28, 29, 2026) and Family (June 7, 2026) concerts, Golf Classic (December 8, 2025), Crescendo (May 3, 2026), Instrument Petting Zoos, rehearsals, and many more. You will receive specific information on these volunteer activities prior to the event.  Helping at these activities reinforces Ovation’s mission to support the programs, policies, and goals of the Long Beach Symphony through the coordination and facilitation of volunteer activities.  We need and welcome your involvement in these worthwhile events.

Like all organizations, we need to increase our membership. Our membership drive is ongoing.  You should have received your renewal information and reminders were emailed. The easiest way to renew or become a member is online at longbeachsymphony.org/Ovation.  Talk to friends and neighbors about joining Ovation as a volunteer. It takes hundreds of volunteer hours to make events successful and they are made possible with your support.

As Ovation members you are welcome and encouraged to attend Ovation council meetings on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 340 Nieto Ave, Long Beach, CA 90814 starting at 4 pm.

Thank you in advance for your support and volunteering!!!!

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The Bobbie Cusato Volunteer of the Year Award 2025: Nina West

The Bobbie Cusato Volunteer of the Year award was established in 2019 to honor a Symphony volunteer who espouses the character of its namesake:

• Years of dedicated service
• Demonstration of extraordinary leadership
• Committed to working long hours
• One who has a “can-do” attitude
• Creative and quick problem-solving skills
• One who builds consensus while being a team player
• A passionate advocate and ambassador for the Long Beach Symphony

We are very excited to announce that this year’s award recipient is Nina West. Nina has been supporting the Long Beach Symphony for decades. For ten years, Nina has been an active Ovation member, recently serving on the education committee, a dependable, hard-working Youth Concert volunteer, as well as assisting with our IPZ’s, specializing in mouthpiece sanitation. Volunteers and staff alike agree that she is an absolute joy to work with. Nina was delighted to be selected: “I am so proud to have won the award. It was a big surprise to me and I’m just so pleased!”

Nina – Congratulations on this well-deserved honor as you are recognized for your outstanding leadership within Ovation and the Long Beach Symphony family!

The Instrument Petting Zoo (IPZ) was conceived with a simple but ambitious vision: to make music tangible, accessible, and irresistible to children. The goal is not only to nurture future musicians but also to foster a community that understands the transformative power of music, thereby expanding the base for our symphony concerts. We’re proud to report that in 2025 we took this hands-on experience for young children to more than 20 locations spanning 280 square miles throughout Long Beach and neighboring communities, among them Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Cerritos and Redondo Beach. In total, we served nearly 1,000 people; more than in 2024. By offering this program free of charge, the Symphony removes financial barriers and opens doors for those who might otherwise never explore music.

How the Program Works: Picture a vibrant space—a local library, school auditorium, or outdoor festival—alive with the chatter of excited children and the gentle hum of tuning strings. Here, an array of orchestral instruments awaits: violin, viola, cello, trumpets, French horn, trombone, flute, clarinet, oboe, percussion instruments and even a snare drum. Each instrument is carefully displayed and supervised by volunteers and student interns. Children are invited to pick up, hold, and try each instrument. This tactile approach demystifies orchestral music, breaking down barriers of intimidation and replacing them with the playful spirit of experimentation. Some Petting Zoo’s events are paired with mini-concerts and/or instrument demonstrations, such as the RumBa Foundation Family Concert.

Impact on the Community: The Instrument Petting Zoo is more than an educational program—it’s a bridge between the Long Beach Symphony and the broader community, bringing music to neighborhoods that may not have ready exposure to the arts. The Petting Zoo also fosters intergenerational connection. Grandparents and parents reminisce about their own musical experiences, while younger generations discover new possibilities. Many parents have shared stories of their children asking for music lessons after attending the Petting Zoo.

Join the Fun! Volunteers are the lifeblood of this program, and although the IPZ program served more children and families in 2025 than in previous years, we had lower volunteer participation. If we want to continue to operate at the current level- and perhaps aspire to even greater numbers– we will need more volunteers. No special skills are required. If you love music and enjoy working with children, we invite you to become part of this joyful initiative. Volunteers greet families, guide children in safely handling instruments, and create a welcoming environment where every child feels empowered to explore music. Although not a prerequisite for participation, the Symphony encourages Ovation members to attend the IPZ orientation session in early summer. If you are interested in volunteering for future IPZ events, please contact Ethel Sanford.

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