The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) will host its Winter Wonderland Gala on Friday, February 10, 2017 at 7:00pm on the top floor of the Knights of Columbus Headquarters in downtown New Haven. The funds raised at the party will benefit the artistic and educational programs of the Symphony across the region.
The evening will begin with an open bar cocktail reception where guests will have a chance to mingle, bid on the silent auction, and take in the 360 degree views panoramic views of New Haven. The cocktail reception will be followed by catered carving and dinner stations and a live musical performance by soprano Lisa Williamson. Perfect for a Valentine’s Day date, there will be an entire room of desserts, including a hot chocolate bar and chocolate tastings by Fascia’s Chocolates and Chip in a Bottle.
“The 2017 Gala will support the symphony’s mission of increasing the impact and value of orchestral music for its audiences (of all ages) through high-quality, affordable performances and educational programming,” comment NHSO Board Directors and Gala Committee co-chairs Brian Gedicks and Christine Jean-Louis. “We will celebrate the NHSO and honoree Logan Ludwig, a former NHSO Board Director and Deputy Supreme Knight of The Knights of Columbus.”
Gala honoree Logan Ludwig has worked for the Knights of Columbus since 1972, serving the organization in multiple positions including the new council development director and deputy director of the State of Illinois. He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors since 2007 and was named supreme treasurer in 2011. Ludwig’s extensive philanthropic work led him to serve on the NHSO board of directors from 2012 – 2015, where he was instrumental in developing the Symphony’s current strategic plan. He is a Fellow and Distinguished Member of the Academy of Health Information Professionals and served as Associate Provost for Loyola University Health Sciences for nearly 26 years. He also served as an Adjunct Professor for Dominican University and as Vice President for Loyola Federal Employees Credit Union.
Soprano Lisa Williamson most recently performed with the NHSO in November 2015 in Chris Brubeck’s Brothers in Arts at the Shubert Theater and will star as Eliza Doolittle in the NHSO’s upcoming performances of My Fair Lady in Concert in March 2017. From 2005-2010, Ms. Williamson was the vocal soloist with The United States Coast Guard Band, where she sang in more than 200 performances in 34 states. Recent highlights include performances with Washington National Opera, the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman, and Opera Theater of Connecticut. Ms. Williamson holds degrees from the Yale School of Music, the University of Connecticut, and the Peabody Conservatory of Music. She has been a young artist at The Glimmerglass Festival, Chautauqua Opera, and Connecticut Opera and has been an award winner in competitions with The Metropolitan Opera National Council, Connecticut Opera Guild, and Annapolis Opera.
Tickets to the Winter Wonderland Gala are available at two prices: $135 for patron tickets and $250 for benefactor tickets. Benefactors receive the additional benefit of a VIP cocktail hour beginning at 6:30pm. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.NewHavenSymphony.org or by calling 203.865.0831 x20.
Winter Wonderland is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, United Personnel, Holland & Knight, Yale New Haven Hospital, Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Fascia’s Chocolates Inc., and Chip in a Bottle.
