A number of people have asked me recently about a beloved annual event hosted by the Eugene Symphony Guild for 25 years: Music in the Garden. As it last took place in 2023, I never had the chance to experience it myself, yet I’ve come to understand just how much it meant to this community. I’ve heard the stories of vibrant gardens, live music floating through the air, and a deep sense of civic pride that brought people together in support of the Eugene Symphony. It was a hallmark of the Eugene Symphony Guild, whose decades of volunteer service and fundraising helped build and sustain our orchestra.
Like many long-standing service organizations including Rotary, Lions Clubs, and others, the Symphony Guild faced the challenges of generational change and dwindling participation. Though the Guild no longer exists as a standalone entity, its impact remains undeniable. These were not just volunteers, they were seasoned fundraisers, creative thinkers, and community leaders who organized everything from elaborate garden tours to elegant receptions, all in the name of music.
Their legacy lives on in many ways. Many members still gather regularly, continue to volunteer at our youth concerts and events, and offer generous philanthropic support. Others have passed the baton, but the path they forged continues through the Guild Legacy Fund, which supports our pre-concert talks, the annual Guild Legacy Young Artist Competition, and other vital programs that extend our impact far beyond the concert hall…