The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) will celebrate its 124th Season on Friday, February 9 at Anthony’s Ocean View with “The Toni Awards,” a fundraising gala. The Gala will highlight the work of New Haven Mayor Toni Harp and Connecticut State Representative Toni Walker, whose efforts in supporting the arts and specifically the New Haven Symphony have broadened the impact of the orchestra and helped to stabilize its financial future.
Mayor Harp says, “I am thrilled to be receiving this “Toni” Award with my wonderful friend and colleague Representative Walker and thank our historic New Haven Symphony Orchestra for the countless lives touched by its repertoire throughout its 124-year distinguished tenure in our City. I am especially grateful for the NHSO’s legendary public schools music program affirming my steadfast belief that the joy of music instruction and interaction with professional musicians results in more engaged students, increased cognitive development, enhanced math and reading skills and to be sure, more confident students. NHSO is indeed a Valentine to our entire Region and State of Connecticut.”
“I can’t express how honored I am to be recognized by the NHSO,” Representative Walker said. “The NHSO has been such a wonderful contributor to the city of New Haven, and indeed all of Connecticut. NHSO is truly a key part of the fabric of our city and one of the state’s precious cultural gems.”
This special fundraising gala will kick off Valentine’s Day weekend with a VIP chocolate tasting for Benefactor level attendees at 7pm, followed by a cocktail hour at 7:30pm for all attendees. The evening’s festivities also will include live music, dinner, and a silent auction.
The gala is chaired by two NHSO Board Directos: Brian Gedicks, Associate General Counsel for the Knights of Columbus, and Christine Jean-Louis, Assistant Attorney General at the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Connecticut. Proceeds from the gala will support the artistic and educational mission of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra.
Gala Committee co-chair Christine Jean-Louis says, “The NHSO has become a pillar in the New Haven community by providing all people, varying in age, demographics and socioeconomic backgrounds, access to music, which has a magical way of bridging so many gaps and creating opportunities to collaborate as a community. It is a great pleasure to honor two individuals that help the NHSO maintain its ability to collaborate with its surrounding community, which has played a fundamental role to the NHSO’s existence and creation.”
Gala Committee co-chair Brian Gedicks added, “This event promises a fantastic mid-winter evening of food and fun (and great chocolate!) honoring two great advocates for the educational outreach of the orchestra, New Haven Mayor Toni Harp and Connecticut State Representative Toni Walker, all to benefit the enduring artistic mission of New Haven’s most prized musical treasure, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra!”
Opportunities to support the gala include purchasing a table or individual tickets, varying sponsorships of the gala, purchasing an ad in the gala’s program book, or participating in the silent auction. Tickets start at $150 and can be purchased online at www.NewHavenSymphony.org/Gala or by calling 203.865.0831 ext. 18.
The Toni Awards Gala is sponsored by Yale New Haven Health Heart and Vascular Center and United Personnel.
