William Cavanaugh III, retired chairman and chief executive officer of Progress Energy and currently the chairman of the World Association of Nuclear Operators, presided over the North Carolina Symphony's annual meeting in his role as chairman of the North Carolina Symphony Society. The meeting was held June 24 at The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary.

New trustees elected to serve three-year terms are Jeff Corbett, Raleigh, senior vice president for Energy Delivery at Progress Energy Carolinas; Edward J. Fritsch, Raleigh, president, CEO and director of Highwoods Properties; Patricia R. Healy, Raleigh, co-founder and principal of Hyde Street Holdings, LLC.; Emil J. Kang, Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina's first executive director for the Arts; Molly O'Neill, Chapel Hill, chief strategic planning officer and vice president for business development for the Duke University Health System; Joan Siefert Rose, Chapel Hill, former general manager of WUNC 91.5 FM, who will become president of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development in August; Sandra Sully, Cary, retired information technology leader; and Rick Weddle, Cary, president and CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina.

"I'm very pleased to herald this bumper crop of new trustees to our Board of Trustees," says Symphony president and CEO David Chambless Worters. "Trustees provide the essential leadership for moving the organization closer to its goal of becoming 'America's Next Great Orchestra,' and I'm particularly pleased to see such strong trustees joining us as the excitement about the Symphony's direction increases."

Trustees reelected to three-year terms are Catharine Biggs Arrowood, Raleigh; Thomas H. Hamilton, Jr., Kinston; Dr. Sally C. Johnson, Raleigh; Margaret Ann Player, Fayetteville; Sidna Rizzo, Chapel Hill; and David Strong, Raleigh.

Symphony chapters throughout the state were honored for their diligent work selling tickets and raising money on behalf of the organization.

The Talley Cup is named in honor of Dr. Banks C. Talley for his years of service as executive director of the North Carolina Symphony. It is awarded to the chapter which has stretched itself significantly on behalf of the Symphony during the past year. Chapter president Marilyn Bateman of Goldsboro accepted the Talley Cup on behalf of the Wayne County Chapter.

Marie and Craig Griffin of Raleigh were recognized for outstanding customer care and service and their strong commitment to a quality concert experience at Meymandi Concert Hall. Top Subscription Sales Volunteer Jolene Edwards of Raleigh was honored for her 21 years of exceptional service and outstanding achievements as a volunteer in renewing Symphony subscribers.

Orchestra members were also honored at the meeting. Musicians with 35 years of service are: Paul Gorski, principal violin II; Vic Benedict, assistant principal bassoon; John Fedderson, principal timpani; Janet Gayer Hall, violin II; Suzanne Kelly, violin II; Michael Schultz, associate principal oboe; Michael Cyzewski, assistant principal clarinet; and Tina Martin, viola. Musicians with 30 years of service are: Eileen Wynne, violin I; Phyllis Whitlow, viola; and Erik Dyke, double bass.

A highlight of the meeting was a performance of "Bach Suite No. 3, Prelude and Gavotte" by outstanding 17-year-old cellist, Alan Toda-Ambaras, recent winner of the N.C. Symphony Youth Concerto Competition. Toda-Ambaras, a rising senior at Chapel Hill High School, is a student of N.C. Symphony cellist Leonid Zilper.