The Elmhurst Symphony Association (ESA) announces four winners of the prestigious Silver Measure Award, the Elmhurst Symphony’s highest honor for outstanding service to the organization. The 2024 winners include past Board of Directors President, David J. Novotny, current Board Member and Treasurer, Carl Amrhein, and long-time musicians, Ken Bohl and Gail Vandon.
The Silver Measure Award, established in 1984, is the Elmhurst Symphony Association’s highest recognition. Its purpose is to recognize outstanding volunteer service to the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra (ESO) exemplified by major contributions of personal effort and involvement in its programs and the community over an extended period of time.
This year the ESA recognizes four outstanding volunteers, both past and present, who have shown a long-time, passionate commitment to the Symphony. Award recipients will be honored at the following concerts in 2024.
David “Dave” J. Novotny is an attorney and co-founder of Chittenden, Murday & Novotny LLC. He joined the Elmhurst Symphony Association (ESA) Board of Directors in 2014 and was elected President the following year, an office he held until 2020. Mr. Novotny will be honored at the January 21, 2024 concert, Celebration of the Dance.
Violinist Gail Vandon is proud to have been a member of the ESO for the past 45 years. Over the years, Gail played under the direction of John Duckwall, Dale Clevenger, and continues to play to this day under the leadership of Maestro Stephen Alltop. Gail Vandon will be honored at the May 4, 2024 concert, La Mer.
Violinist Ken Bohl played in the Elmhurst Symphony while in high school and again briefly in the mid-1970s under John Duckwall, and he has been with the ESO continuously since 1984, playing under both Dale Clevenger and Stephen Alltop. Ken Bohl will be honored at the May 4, 2024 concert, La Mer.
Carl Amrhein has served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer and chaired the Budget Committee since July 2015. In addition, Mr. Amrhein serves on the Endowment and Music committees and is active in the day-to-day accounting operations and yearly financial reporting for the ESA. “I have to say I am really glad Carl is receiving the Silver Measure Award also – during my term he was absolutely indispensable to the ESO, and I have no doubt he still is”, said Dave Novotny when he heard the news. Carl Amrhein will be honored at the May 4, 2024 concert, La Mer.