San Luis Obispo Symphony volunteer Linda Ashworth, orchestra oboe player, youth symphony coach, music librarian, music education committee co-chair and board member, was awarded the Most Valuable Player Award at the Annual Meeting of the members of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) in San Francisco on July 22. 

Initiated in 1996, the Most Valuable Player Awards were created to recognize exemplary volunteers, volunteer projects, and volunteer organizations working for California's symphony orchestras and choruses. A total of six awards were presented at the ceremony, representing volunteers from orchestras and choruses from all budget categories throughout California. 

"Linda wears a number of different hats at the SLO Symphony; she jumps in and takes action whenever there is a void to fill because she is passionate about sharing the gift of classical music with others," notes Operations Director Issy Roberts. "On top of all her other duties with the orchestra she voluntarily created our music library database and cataloged more than 1,100 works this year. Linda is a fervent music education advocate in the community. Simply put, she is amazing." 

More than 300 orchestra and chorus trustees, volunteers, musicians, conductors and staff members came together for three days of networking, panels, peer forums and musical events at the ACSO's 42nd Annual Conference, hosted by the San Francisco Symphony, which took place July 22-24 at the Hilton Financial District in San Francisco.

A retired biologist, Ashworth is actively involved in marine mammal rescue, teaches oboe to adults and children, and has lectured at Cal Poly State University. She also performs with the Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble and Opera SLO.

The Association of California Symphony Orchestras is a nonprofit service organization composed of California’s professional, chamber, community, and youth orchestras and choruses and their volunteer associations, as well as businesses serving the orchestra and chorus field. Established in 1969, it provides leadership and services to more than 120 orchestras and choruses in California and the region.

The purpose of the San Luis Obispo Symphony is to support an outstanding community orchestra, to foster symphonic and chamber music education, and to contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of the Central Coast Community.

For more information, visit www.acso.org or slosymphony.com.