Overture Magazine: 2017-2018 Season November-December 2017 | Page 7

BSO CELEBRATES 35 TH ANNUAL GALA
Wynton Marsalis Headlines an Evening of Festivity
O
n Saturday, September 9, the Baltimore Symphony
Orchestra held its 35 th annual Gala celebration, a special
one-night event full of music, fanfare and festivity.
Chaired by Calvin G. Butler Jr. and Sharon Butler, as well as
Mark and Patricia Joseph, the evening serves as the year’s largest
fundraiser, supporting the BSO’s innovative artistic, education
and community outreach programs.
Following dinner and cocktails in the Gala tent, patrons took
their seats in the Meyerhoff for a concert featuring Maestra Marin
Alsop and legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Marsalis, a
nine-time Grammy® Award-winner, played staples of the jazz
repertoire including “Cherokee” alongside the BSO. A movement
from his “Blues Symphony” was also featured on the program. As
a special treat, OrchKids, Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras
and OrchLab performed a rendition of “Sing, Sing, Sing,” at the
top of the concert.
“The Gala is a very special event for all of us at the BSO,”
says President & CEO Peter Kjome. “It combines truly
world-class music-making with an unbeatable atmosphere of
celebration and fun, all in the name of supporting our great
orchestra and community programs.”
After the performance, guests enjoyed a dessert reception with
BSO musicians back in the Gala tent. By the end of the evening,
the event had successfully raised record-breaking funds towards
supporting BSO programs throughout the year.
Above (left to right): Wynton Marsalis performs during the 35 th Annual BSO
Gala; The Gala serves as the season’s largest fundraising event; BSO President
& CEO Peter Kjome gives remarks during the Gala concert.
NEWS FROM THE MUSIC CENTER
AT STRATHMORE
Renovations To Update Dining
and Lobby Areas
T
he Music Center at Strathmore will undergo renovations
over the course of the next two concert seasons.
Construction on the hall begins this winter and will
continue through the 2018 –2019 season. Affecting the lobby
and dining areas, the main objectives of the project are to add
an escalator between the Promenade and Lockheed Martin Lobby
levels and to increase the dining space in the Allegro Kitchen.
In addition, the existing outdoor patio will be covered and
become part of the new dining area.
During the construction, the Allegro Kitchen will remain open
at its current capacity. Though the Comcast Lounge will be closed
during most of the construction period, many lounge functions will
be temporarily relocated to the Lockheed Martin lobby area. Once
completed, the Comcast Lounge will contai n a private bar, coat
closet and its own restrooms.
Donor activities will continue through the renovations, including
the regular schedule of Allegretto Dinners and behind-the-scenes
backstage tours.
Artist rendering of
The Music Center
at Strathmore,
post-construction.
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