Virginia Symphony Orchestra Oral History Collection

Martha Stewart was an active member of the Symphony League and its antecedents from 1955 until she passed away. Stewart was born in Olney, Illinois on August 2, 1930, and died in Norfolk, Virginia on September 2, 2009. The interview was conducted with Martha Stewart in her Norfolk home for a project on the history of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. The interview discusses Mrs. Stewart's service with the Virginia Symphony League, the VSO musical directors, board, finances, and labor relations. Her husband also participates in the interview. 1:12:30

Mary Thrasher is a life member of the Virginia Symphony League. She also served as President of the Virginia Symphony League, on the Virginia Symphony Board of Directors, and on the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Trustee Council. Thrasher was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on January 12, 1920, and died in Norfolk, Virginia on March 19, 2009. The interview was conducted with Mary Thrasher in her Norfolk residence for a project on the history of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. The interview discusses Mary Thrasher's tenure as president of the Virginia Symphony League and the League's fundraising activities. She also discusses the VSO board of directors, musical directors, and labor relations. 0:36:00

Cathy Walsh has served in various capacities on the Virginia Symphony League since 1999. Walsh was bron in Wacekegan, Illinois on July 12, 1952. The interview was conducted with Cathy Walsh in the Virginia Beach Central Library for a project on the history of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. The interview discusses Walsh's service with the Virginia Symphony League and the VSO trustee council, as well as labor relations, the Virginia Symphony Foundation, and the CNU Ferguson Center. 0:36:30

Guil Ware was a Symphony Board member beginning in the Edgar Schenkman period. Ware also served as president when Russell Stanger became music director. Ware performed legal work and negotiated the agreements with the musicians’ union. Ware was born in Dunnsvile, Essex County, Virginia on April 15, 1925. The interview was conducted with Guil Ware in his Norfolk law office for a project on the history of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. In the interview, Ware discusses his involvement with the VSO board of directors, his tenure as president, the VSO budgets, labor relations, and the orchestra's merger. Ware also discusses the Virginia Symphony Foundation and the Virginia League's contributions to the VSO. 1:03:30

Matt Werth was the associate director and business manager from 1972-1979. Werth was born in Maryland on July 30, 1926. The interview was conducted with Matt Werth in his Norfolk home for a project on the history of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. The interview discusses Werth's responsibilities as the business manager and associate director for the VSO. He also discusses the VSO Board of Directors, finances, musical directors, the symphony merger, and labor relations. 1:09:00