Barbara and David Wessel of Essex Junction were honored by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra at a recent meeting of the Champlain Valley Friends of the VSO. The Wessels were proclaimed members of the VSO’s Crescendo Society which honors the extraordinary lifetime support of the Orchestra’s most generous contributors, recognizing individuals, corporations, and private foundations. The award, a custom-designed piece by Simon Pearce, was presented by Board Chairman Brian Harwood.
The Wessels moved to Vermont in 1998 and quickly became involved with Waltz Night, the VSO’s elegant annual fund-raising event. Barbara Wessel was chair of the Waltz Night committee in 2003 and 2004, and chair of the regional board, the Champlain Valley Friends of the VSO, from 2005 to 2010. In 2010 she was elected to the Governing Board and currently serves as chair of the Development Committee. David Wessel recently retired from the regional board and was acknowledged for his many years of outstanding service.
“Barbara and David have made such a profound difference during their time with the VSO, helping make classical music accessible to all Vermonters,” says VSO development director Mike Peluse. “Their passion, energy and tenacity have pushed us to new heights and they always have something new to teach us.”
“From the first time Barbara talked development at a Governing Board meeting in 1999 until the most recent board meeting this month, she has been the spark that has ignited our development efforts,” says Brian Harwood.
The Champlain Valley Friends of the VSO is one of six regional boards in Vermont that provide essential local support for the Orchestra. There are 27 members of the Champlain Valley Friends board, covering the region from Middlebury to North Hero, and helping with fundraising, publicity, special events, housing musicians, providing meals for the orchestra, concert support, and more. Along with active committee work, the board meets every other month between September and May.