Phoenix Orchestra Rings In New Year

The evening's activities begin at 8 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as well as the annual Gala auction. Spectacular auction items include two trips to Paris including hotel and roundtrip airfare. A sumptuous four-course dinner prepared by renowned Kierland Resort Executive Chef Todd Berry is served at 9:30 p.m. followed by dancing into the New Year. Long counted among the most elegant of the Valley's social gatherings each season, the Symphony Gala remains the only such event to feature live music played by a full symphony orchestra each year. Musical selections for the evening highlight the City of Lights with a special cabaret performance by Ballet Etudes and traditional New Year's Eve waltzes.

Invitations to this season's Symphony Gala were mailed to Valley residents and corporate officers in late October. Tickets for An Evening in Paris begin at $600 per person with group and corporate tables also available. Gala chairs Barbara Caldwell Taylor and Robert S. Taylor and the entire Gala Committee promise a spectacular evening, with the option of extending the celebration with an overnight stay and New Year's Day activities at the resort. This year's Honorary Chairs are Gerry and Peggy Murphy.

Since 1954, the annual benefit event has been held to raise money in support of the Symphony. Over the past five decades, the stylish efforts and extraordinary accomplishments of the Gala's hundreds of dedicated volunteers have raised over $15 million. The Gala's proceeds are earmarked toward supporting The Phoenix Symphony's education, outreach, and artistic activities, including concerts for school children, family programs, and other presentations throughout the state of Arizona serving more than 300,000 adults, children, and families each year. -- www.phoenixsymphony.org