1949
On Jan. 31 Rosalynd Pflaum leads eight women in discussion to found a volunteer organization for the orchestra. On Sept. 21 WAMSO holds its first board meeting. (Picture available?)

1950
First party for WAMSO and orchestra members and spouses features beer and hot dogs at Walker Art Center

1951
Chain Parties inaugurated as urgent fundraiser for orchestra--over 4,000 women attend private parties and raise $8,000 in first year. Continues through 1954.

1953
Music in the Schools provides music in area schools with performances by orchestra ensembles. Continues through 1956. (Picture available?)
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Junior division for women under 32 is founded. In 1955 it helps organize conference for the Association of Women's Committees for Symphony Orchestras in Minneapolis. Continues through 1985.

1954
Official ticket-sales campaign launches to sell subscriptions. Continues until 1970.

1956
First Symphony Ball celebrates Mozart's bicentennial and raises $15, 205. (Picture available?)
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Eleven entrants play Bach and Beethoven to compete in WAMSO's first Young Artist Contest for $500 in prizes. Continues through today as Young Artist Competition.

1957
WAMSO's first commission--Ernst Toch's Fourth Symphony--premeieres at Northrup Auditorium.

1958
A 10th anniversary fundraising project. Encore: A Cookbook of the World's Most Famous Musicians features 300 recipes from 150 musicians and contributes $10,000 to the musicians' pension fund in its first year. (Cookbook cover available?)

1960
Symphony Associates combines dues with additional gift to orchestra. $10 dues include WAMSO membership, two concert tickets, and one recording. Continues to 1972.

1961
Business and Professional division begins for evening volunteers. B & P Horse Show benefit continues through 1965.

1962
Young Audiences of Minnesota takes artists and musicians into schools as part of a national program to bring arts to schools. Sponsored by WAMSO for thirty years, it reaches 137,000 students in its last year under WAMSO, 1993. (Logo available?)

1963
Fundraiser Twin Town Tours, A Tale of Two Cities, begins. WAMSO guides customize tours of the cities for conventioners and local organizations. Continues until 1982.

1964
Junior's "Festival 1920" includes a Charleston contest, musical show, games, antique cars, and Hall Bros. New Orleans Jazz Band. (Picture/poster available?)

1968
The name changes along with the orchestra--now Women's Association of the Minnesota Orchestra (WAMSO).

1969
WAMSO awards Mel Powell the 20th anniversary commission; premiere of Immobile V for Orchestra and Tape on Oct. 10. The piece was conducted by Stanislaw Skrowaczewksi, pictured here. (Picture available?)

1970
Symph Follies, a review of dancing and music, is presented at the Women's Club with a cast of 109 to raise $3,000.

1973
Morning for Music, a six week clas, features such speakers as Isaac Stern. Continues until 1979.

1974
Orchestra Hall opens; WAMSO gives guided tours. Members later serve as ushers for coffee concerts. (picture available?)
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Symphony Tennis Classic fundraisers feature Tracy Austin, Billie Jean King, Ilie Nastase, John Newcombe, Chris Evert. Continues until 1980.

1978
Rochester division stages Antique Show through 1981 in the stone barn at Mayowood to benefit concerts and Young Audiences in Rochester.
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Picnic in the Plaza offers open rehearsal and a picnic with musicians on Peavy Plaza. Continues through 1985.
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Meet the Masters brings students together for a master class with visiting guest artists such as AndrŽ Watts, Malcolm Frager, Jean-Pierre Rampal. Continues today. (picture available?)
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Kinder Konzerts begins for preschoolers in Orchestra Hall and includes "sound factory." Continues today. (logo available?)

1979
New Gift Shop staffed by the Business and Professional division, opens in Orchestra Hall. Shop closes in 1997 following remodeling of lobby. (picture available?)
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Musical Highlights rund through 1981 before becoming Concert Previews. Talks feature a guest artist, conductor, or music lecturer in Orchestra Hall Greenroom. Continues until 1989.

1980
Sommerfest concerts begin and bring activities to Peavy Plaza. The Viennese pasty booth, started in 1981 by the Juniors, raises funds for Kinder Konzerts. (Logo available?)

1982
Midwinter Gala compiles stock portfolio for Symphony Stock Exchange Sweepstakes. Galas continue through 1992.

1984
Joan DeVee Dixon, pianist, wins Young Artist Competition Grand Award for a performance in a subscription series with Neville Marriner, pictures, conducting. (Picture available?)
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Kinder Konzerts inaugurates the first of twelve commissions with Janika Vandervelde's Jack in the Beanstalk.

1985
Symphony Ball "A Glittering Affair," the thirtieth anniversary ball, breaks $500,000 for first time.

1987
"A Musical Bouquet" Symphony Ball wins the American Symphony Orchestra League's top honors in fundraising.

1989
Kinder Konzerts wins the national award for excellence in education by the American Symphony Orchestra League.

1990
Master Classes continue throughout the decade, offering rare opportunities with Yo-Yo Ma, Leonard Slatkin, Pamela Frank, Adreas Haefliger. (picture available?)

1991
Letter-writing campaign personalizes funding for education projects. Continues through 1983.

1992
One Suite Evening starts, in which members and guests dine at Goodfellows then attend concert. (picture available?)

1993
Symphony of Style benefit held in new state historical society building brings 500 to see fashions.

1994
Chairs honored for 40 years of Symphony Ball at luncheon and fashion show emceed by Charlie Boone.
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Dayton's becomes major benefactor of Symphony Ball. Continues through today.
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On Oct. 26 WAMSO changes name by dropping "Women" to emphasize broad-based organizaation: WAMSO--Minnesota Orchestra Volunteer Association. (logo)

1995
WAMSO premeieres the Gear Your Ear program, which offers complete listening curriculum and state listening contest. Continues through today. (logo)

1996
Mystical Pavillion ball transforms the Metrodome and wins ASOL'd highest award for a fundraising project. Gear Your Ear programs wins the top education award.

1997
Symphony Ball explodes over St. Paul skies with fireworks and concert on the Mississippi River and record $675,000 for the orchestra.

1999
Swing Downtown stages swing dance lessons before concerts and promotes Swing DeLuxe ball.

1999-2000
WAMSO celebrates fifty years. (Logo available?)