Step into an evening of glamour and music at The Garden Concert at the Estate, where a gothic mansion and elegant vineyard views set the stage for a sophisticated experience. Savor delicious libations and hors d’oeuvres in celebration of the artistry, education, history, and innovation of your New Haven Symphony Orchestra. Celebrate our inspiring Awardees, then relax under the stars with a captivating live performance by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra conducted by Music Director Perry So.
Tickets:
Benefactor tickets and tables are currently available for purchase to this in-demand performance. Additional ticket options, including concert-only lawn seating, will be available for purchase beginning Monday, March 2nd.
Premium Benefactor Tickets support the mission of your New Haven Symphony Orchestra and include:
- Mansion Access
- Exclusive pre-concert celebration with live music and opportunities to meet our awardees and Music Director Perry So
- Ceremony honoring our awardees accompanied by decadent desserts and a festive toast
- Free on-site valet parking
- VIP concert seating under the sailcloth tent
- Open bar for the entire evening
- Program book recognition
- Free celebratory message to be printed in our program book (Honor an Awardees or Your Symphony!)
- Symphony appreciation gift
Cost: Benefactor Tickets – $300. Benefactor Tables (8 Seats) – $2,400. To purchase a table online, add 8 tickets to your cart at checkout. Tickets are available online by tapping the button below or call (203) 693-1486.
Buy TicketsFor questions about benefactor benefits or to learn more about sponsorship packages, please contact Halima Flynn at Development@NewHavenSymphony.org or call (203) 865-0831 x.118.
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Awardees
WATTLES AWARD – Dr. Rita A. Landino
Dr. Rita A. Landino is a distinguished psychologist, educator, and lifelong advocate for student success in Greater New Haven. A New Haven native, she has spent decades as a professor, counselor, and mentor at Southern Connecticut State University, guiding generations of students with compassion and unwavering dedication.
The Wattles Award, established in honor of Gurdon and Kathy Wattles, is the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s highest honor. It is presented to an individual or organization whose support has had a transformative impact on both the Symphony and the broader community. Dr. Landino exemplifies this legacy through her extraordinary commitment to arts access and education, including her generous sponsorship of the Symphony’s Young People’s Concerts, which introduce thousands of children each season to the joy of live orchestral music.
Dr. Landino has also been an essential champion of the Symphony’s Harmony Fellowship programs, providing leadership gifts that have directly expanded opportunities for talented musicians and arts administrators from underrepresented backgrounds. These fellowships create paid, hands-on professional pathways that help cultivate the next generation of artists and arts leaders. Dr. Landino’s contributions include one of the largest personal investments in the fellowships to date, and her generosity has set this program on the path toward long-term stability.
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is deeply grateful for Dr. Landino’s extraordinary support and unwavering belief in the power of music and education. We are honored to present Dr. Landino with the Wattles Award in recognition of her exemplary leadership, her lasting contributions to the Symphony and the community, and her transformative influence on the cultural and educational life of Greater New Haven.
QUARTET AWARD FOR ARTISTRY – Shining Light on Truth Exhibitions
The Shining Light on Truth exhibitions represent a landmark collaboration spanning two public presentations: Shining Light on Truth: New Haven, Yale & Slavery at the New Haven Museum—presented by the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University Library—and Shining Light on Truth: Black Lives at Yale & in New Haven, installed at the Yale Schwarzman Center. Together, these exhibitions bring long-suppressed histories into public view through archival research, interpretive storytelling, and community-centered design.
For its groundbreaking collaboration, artistic and scholarly excellence, and transformative illumination of Black history in New Haven and at Yale, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra proudly honors the creators of the Shining Light on Truth exhibitions with the Quartet Award for Artistry.
QUARTET AWARD FOR EDUCATION – LEAP
For more than 30 years, Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership (LEAP) has been one of New Haven’s most transformative youth development organizations. Serving more than 1,500 young people annually, LEAP provides academic support, enrichment, athletics, and a robust teen leadership pathway that develops future community leaders.
For its community-rooted mission, commitment to youth empowerment, and lasting impact on New Haven families, the NHSO proudly honors LEAP with the Quartet Award for Education.
QUARTET AWARD FOR HISTORIC IMPACT – Jesse Hameen II
Jesse Hameen II is a legendary New Haven–born jazz drummer, educator, and cultural leader whose influence spans more than six decades. Rooted in the Dixwell neighborhood’s musical heritage, he has performed internationally and mentored countless young musicians.
For his profound artistic legacy, lifelong mentorship, and stewardship of New Haven’s cultural history, the NHSO proudly recognizes Jesse Hameen II with the Historic Impact Award.
QUARTET AWARD FOR INNOVATION – AZA Lab
AZA Lab at Yale University is pioneering new frontiers in mental health by integrating neuroscience, music, mindfulness, and culturally grounded approaches to healing. Through interdisciplinary research and global partnerships, the lab is reshaping how psychiatric care is studied and delivered.
For its visionary approach and commitment to advancing mental health through science, creativity, and community, the NHSO is proud to recognize AZA Lab with the Innovation Award.
