The Elmhurst Symphony Association is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 Silver Measure Award, presented at the Elmhurst Symphony Association annual dinner each June to volunteers for outstanding service to the Elmhurst Symphony over many years. The award, which was begun in 1984, recognizes contributions made by each of the recipients to the welfare of the orchestra and to the quality of life in the community. This year’s winners, Shirley Myers and Bruce Forbush, truly represent the spirit of volunteering both within the Symphony and in the wider community.
Shirley Myers, a long-time resident of Elmhurst, began her volunteer work with the ESO in 1972 as a member of the Elmhurst Symphony Auxiliary. In the 40 ensuing years, until its recent disbandment, Shirley served the Auxiliary in many ways, from overseeing fundraisers and post-concert receptions and assisting on concert days to preparing and serving meals to orchestra members and serving as Auxiliary president (1980-81) and as a member and secretary of the Symphony Association Board. Shirley’s contributions to her community are equally impressive. She has been president of several groups, including the American Legion Auxiliary and the Children’s Home and Aid Society, and is active at First Congregational Church in Elmhurst. Shirley was a 15-year member of the Elmhurst Senior Citizens’ Commission and chair for 14 years, and she is currently on the Board of Directors of Metropolitan Family Services of DuPage. Among the many acknowledgements of her long years of service to the community is the Distinguished Service Award presented by the Jaycees. In Shirley’s introduction as a Silver Measure Award winner she was described as the “absolute picture of caring, of love for community, and of being in service in so many capacities, willing to do both the big things and the small.”
In 1983 Bruce Forbush began volunteering with the Elmhurst Symphony as a stage manager helper, assisting with set-up and take-down for rehearsals and concerts, a particularly formidable job when the ESO played at Hammerschmidt Chapel, a setting that needed a large stage extension set up each time. Eleven years later Bruce began helping with ESO summer concerts on the Elmhurst College Mall. He now serves as assistant to the ESO’s stage manager. For a time Bruce was also the stage manager for the Elmhurst College/Community Band. In addition, he has helped with the ESO Auxiliary silent auction, the Stanger Auditions, and has filled in as Executive Director. His service to both his church and the community are stellar. At GraceLutheranChurch in Villa Park Bruce participates in choir, praise band and chime choir. He has served as financial secretary and as a member of the worship committee and worship assistant. The church serves as a PADS site where Bruce has worked the 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. shift for 17 years. He helps with the church’s participation in the July 4th parade to collect food for a local pantry, and he has led VacationBibleSchool. Bruce has also participated in the CROP Walk for 17 years and has served nearly all of that time on its board.
The ESA salutes and thanks its Silver Measure Award recipients!
In addition to the Silver Measure Award ceremony, the Annual Dinner included musical performances by pianist Timothy Zhou, 2nd place Stanger Young Artists Audition Winner, and violinist Serena Harnack, 4th place winner. Maestro Stephen Alltop concluded the celebratory evening with a preview of the ESO’s 53rd season, “Music Among Friends,” which begins October 19.