(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Saturday, April 9, over 200 guests at the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s (PSO) sold-out gala Gershwin in Paris were treated to the sights and sounds of jazz-age Paris. Held at the grand venue Jasna Polana, patrons sipped cocktails and ate canapés prior to being called to dinner by an impressive brass fanfare by PSO musicians. Music Director Rossen Milanov welcomed everyone and conducted George Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” as flappers from the American Repertory Ballet performed a jazz challenge dance choreographed by Mary Pat Robertson. More dancing was encouraged with the vintage jazz and classic swing sound of the band Lapis Luna.
Music is at the heart of the PSO, and Co-Chairs Elizabeth Beers and Nora Decker thought it was important to include a performance by PSO musicians at the event. Ms. Decker said, "It’s a really nice marriage between what we’re raising money for and being able to experience a great performance." Funding from sponsors, individual donations, the gala’s live auction, and Fund-A-Need pledge drive significantly exceeded last year’s proceeds, making it the most successful gala ever.
Attendees participated in the Fund-A-Need: PSO BRAVO! Challenge, an exciting new addition to the gala. Ms. Beers explained, “We had a surprise incentive. An anonymous donor offered a match for all the participants at the gala to donate to the PSO BRAVO! education program.” PSO BRAVO! brings music to children in over 30 area public and private schools, something of importance to Ms. Beers. “By raising additional funding for PSO BRAVO! we can expose more children to classical music. In the world we live in now, children don’t get exposed to orchestral music. I think that it is so incredibly important to culture, to brain development, and to learning and expansion of their understanding of the world.”
The entire gala committee worked hard to make every detail of the evening something to remember from stunning flower arrangements to a Paris-inspired meal. The dinner included choices of filet mignon, salmon, and a delicious arugula and orange salad. There were also two delectable desserts: a molten chocolate cake and a strawberry white chocolate fugue. Plenty of dancing allowed for guilt-free consumption.
When asked why they agreed to chair the gala, Ms. Decker said, “In Princeton, we’re so lucky to have a world-class symphony that we can get to very easily and that offers a wide range of programming which always makes for a unique experience. I love having it on the calendar throughout the year. For me, a New York or Philadelphia Orchestra wouldn’t be as easily accessible.” Ms. Beers adds, “My husband David and I believe the PSO is a really wonderful part of the community. It’s a spectacular group of people, and the extent to which the organization goes into Trenton to present music through partner non-profits to support children’s music education is phenomenal as well.”
The gala underwrites the musical excellence and educational outreach of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, enabling it to flourish as a professional orchestra of note. The PSO is nationally recognized for its highly accomplished performances and its innovative programming in and out of the concert hall. Showcasing emerging and acclaimed soloists and embracing the music and composers of our time, the PSO performs for a large, devoted audience of passionate listeners. With exceptional commitments to music education, the PSO BRAVO! program reaches 10,000 students every year, providing free performances, coaching, music instruction, and opportunities for creative engagement.
