Instructions/Information
TASO Awards of Excellence
Business, Patron, Legislator, Volunteer
2025-2026
The TASO Awards of Excellence are awarded to a business, patron, legislator, and volunteer (four (4) awards are given) in recognition of outstanding service, support, and promotion of the interests and growth of symphony orchestras.
• The Business Award is given to a business that has shown exceptional service, support and/or promotion of the interests and growth of a symphony orchestra
• The Patron Award is given to a person who has given financial support to a symphony orchestra, but not necessarily been active in the member organization
• The Volunteer Award is given to a person who has served in a volunteer capacity above and beyond his/her volunteer role.
• The Legislator Award is given a person who has shown support for the arts as a legislator
The Award of Excellence represents the only recognition of its type by symphonies in Texas. It is imperative that a representative from the nominating organization and the winner be present at the ceremony during the TASO annual conference in Corpus Christi (April, 2026). If the winner cannot be present, he or she should be represented by someone with whom he or she works, or by a family member. The nominating member organization is responsible for the expense of their nominee to attend and to pick up the award at the TASO Conference should their nominee be chosen.
GUIDELINES for CONTENT Nomination Submission and CRITERIA for JUDGING Submissions
Please make sure you have completed all the requested information with as much supportive details as possible.
Submit the following in ONE emailed document :
Please limit cover sheet (nomination letter) to one page. Needs to include:
o Involvement during the past five years.
o Other past involvement will be considered. Be specific and include details and history of support.
· Completed application form (found on the website)
· Three (3) letters of recommendation
· One (1) jpg color head shot to be used in conference notebook if a winner
LEGISLATOR - please include the following information:
· Voting record in support of the arts/symphony during the most recent legislative session
· Number of years they have supported the arts
· The orchestra they support by attending concerts or owning season tickets
· How they support the Hotel Tax for the arts
· How they collaborate with symphony organizations
· What value they place on the arts
VOLUNTEER- please include the following information:
· A history of positions held in the organization, such as offices, major chairmanships/leadership positions
· Indicate the Volunteer’s contributions during the past five years.
· Describe the level of relationship with your volunteer group
· Estimate the time dedicated in volunteering annually for the symphony and organization
· One (1) of the three (3) required letters of recommendations should be from a member of the
symphony organization staff (President/CEO, VP Development, etc.)
BUSINESS – please include the following information:
· Number of years the business has been involved with the symphony/arts (history)
· Their annual financial commitment and number of years they been involved financially (include major gifts: naming chairs, instruments, buildings, etc.)
· If the business provides/encourages volunteers for the orchestra
· Any additional methods of support (in-kind gifts with estimated value such as meeting space,
legal or technical services, etc.)
PATRON – please include the following information:
· Amount of financial support given during the past five years.
· History of financial support of the symphony
· Describe how they are vested in the organization financially
· Include any volunteer activities to which they may have also contributed