Guild History

In 1975 Marietta Atherton organized a group of women who founded the Stockton Opera Guild. The purpose of the Guild was, and remains today, to promote public interest in operatic music along with the Stockton Opera Association.  For over 30 years, the Guild has sponsored fund-raising events, assisted in the financial support of the Stockton Opera Association, and has a Scholarship program open to all San Joaquin County vocal students.

Guild membership is limited to 35 active members who demonstrate the capacity to actively participate in community work, who are sympathetic to the purpose of the Association, and who are able to participate fully in the work of the Guild.

Since its beginnings, Guild members have served as hostesses for the Opera Association’s annual Moonlight Melodies preparing hors d’oeuvres and welcoming attendees, ushering at opera productions, and hosting the artists’ reception. The extraordinary and enthusiastic members of the Guild have an Opera Season Kick-off party in the fall, and annual spring Gala.

Past President and Charter Member Kathe Underwood passed away in August of 2008.  Kathe’s husband, the late Dr. Lucas Underwood was Professor of Opera at the University of the Pacific.  Dr. Underwood was one of the founders of the Association, directing and conducting opera productions from 1969 to 1981.

Marietta Atherton, who with former Symphony Director Kyung - Soo Won, Dr. Arthur Holton, and Dr. Lucas Underwood founded the Stockton Opera Association in 1968.  Mrs. Atherton was honored by the Guild with a plaque behind the University of the Pacific’s Buck Hall and a tree planted nearby.

The Stockton Opera Guild News

he Stockton Opera Guild concluded the 2009 season with the annual installation of officers and the traditional presentation of a check to the Stockton Opera Association for the continued production of Opera in Stockton, this year in the amount of $20,000. The Opera Guild presents two major fundraisers each year, THE CURTAIN GOES UP and the OPERA GUILD GALA. The officers installed for the year 2009-2010 are:

Scholarship Competition 2010

The Stockton Opera Guild
Kathe Underwood Scholarship Compeition 2010

The 11th Stockton Opera Guild Kathe Underwood Scholarship Competition will be held Saturday, March 20, 2010. The purpose is to award scholarships for vocal study to students in San Joaquin County seeking career or performance advancement . There are three categories of eligibility: Section 1- High school students not younger than 16 years of age; Section 2- College or private study students up to 24 years-of-age; Section 3- College or private study students 25 to 32 year-of-age.

Applications are in the mail to music and voice teachers and may be downloaded from this site. Application deadline is March 5, 2010.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

"THE CURTAIN GOES UP"

When: Thursday, November 5th, 2009
Where: Brookside Country Club in Stockton

THE CURTAIN GOES UP, the Guild’s annual Opera Season Kick-off Party, will be held at the Brookside Country Club on Thursday evening, November 5, 2009, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m Fine wines and hors d’oeuvres will be served during the reception, and our 2009 Scholarship recipient Chantelle Foulks will entertain. Each year a member of the community is honored for their contributions to opera and the arts in Stockton. This year’s honoree will be Maestro Peter Jaffe, Music Director of the Stockton Symphony and the Stockton Opera. The Master of Ceremonies will be James Haffner of the University of the Pacific.

Tickets for the event are $45.00

For additional information phone:  209.954.0219

35th Annual Opera Guild Gala

When:  Sunday, April 11, 2010 at Six o’clock in the Evening
Where:  Brookside Country Club in Stockton

The Stockton Opera Guild will present its 35th Anniversary Gala on Sunday evening, April 11, 2010, at the beautiful Brookside Country Club in Stockton. This annual event features a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, an elegant dinner, and a program of musical entertainment. Opera Guild Ways and Means Vice-President Betsy Erhardt is chairing the event. Since it’s founding in 1975, the Guild has served as one of the major underwriters of the Stockton Opera Association, The Annual Gala was established to showcase local talent and to financially support the Opera Association’s opera production.

For additional information phone: 209.954.0219