A silent auction fund-raiser was held at the 2008 SAA Conference, organized by the SAA’s Board of Directors. Many businesses and individuals graciously donated items and services to be auctioned. The variety ranged from instruments to software to jewelry to teacher training to art. The items were arranged in display cases at the entrance to the exhibitors’ hall, where conference attendees could look them over and write their bids on the bidding sheets. As we approached the closing of the auction, there were several competitions going on between bidders, serious about winning the highest bid for their favorite item. The most hotly contested items were the Weekend Workshop with Carol Dallinger, and the Violin Teacher Practicum with Teri Einfeldt. When the auction closed and the bidding sheets were tallied, we found that almost $5,000 had been raised for the SAA.

It’s not too early to be thinking about an auction at the next conference. It’s a unique way to raise money for the SAA and its programs, which benefit all of us, and it’s fun too. Please consider offering a service or an item that you would donate to the next SAA Conference Silent Auction. Just email or call the SAA office with your potential donations, and you will be contacted as we get closer to the 2010 Conference.

2008 SAA Conference Silent Auction Donors

Alfred Music
Johnson String Instruments
Frederick Harris Music Co.
SmartMusic
Young Musicians
The String House
Claire Givens Violin Shop
Lisle Violin Shop
The Sound Post
Carriage House Violins
Reuning and Son Violins
Shar Products Company
Michael Becker Fine Violins
Lyon & Healy West
D’Addario
Barbara Barber
Ruben Flores
Stan Smith
Carol Dallinger
Virginia Dixon
Teri Einfeldt
Betty & John Wahlig
Diane Schroeder
Ruth Engle Larner
Pam Brasch
Beth Stanley
Joan Reuning
Lamar Blum
Gail Lange