Grace Note: Symphony kicks off 49th season in melodious style

Membership has its benefits.

The Palm Beach Symphony's board of directors hosted a sublime members-only kickoff reception to mark the start of its 49th season.

The event took place Nov. 3 at Club Colette.

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The evening included cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, music by Wayne Hosford and lots of animated chatter about the upcoming season.

Symphony CEO David McClymont, Music Director Gerard Schwarz and acting Board Chair James R. Borynack spoke briefly.

"Thank you for joining us tonight and or supporting the most ambitious and exciting season in our history,” McClymont said in his welcoming remarks.

“The Dale A. McNulty Children’s Concert Series will now be available for broadcast to families nationwide, our instrument donation program to students and music programs in need grew by 72% last season, and we will be presenting more concerts than ever before,” he said.

Schwarz gave a preview of the season, which will feature six Masterworks concerts at the Kravis Center for the first time with guest artists violinists Sarah Chang, who performed Nov. 6, and Joshua Bell, pianists Garrick Ohlsson, Misha Dichter and Maria João Pires, and mezzo-soprano Susan Graham.

"Thank you for the support that is making this historic season of world-class concerts and vital community impact possible,” said Borynack, who acknowledged Cressman Bronson, and PNC Bank in particular.

Immediately following the season kick-off reception, Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui hosted a private dinner for more than 50 major donors and sponsors at Club Colette.

More than 100 people attended the reception including Ann and Charles Johnson, Josephine Bayard, Kim Bepler, JoAnne Berkow, Marti LaTour, Thomas and Carol Bruce, Nannette Cassidy, John and Amy Collins, Stephania Conrad, Lisa Cook, Maude Cook, Dr. Richard and Diane Farber, Ray Farris and Jacqueline Pearson, Barbara and RC Gilbert, Paul and Sandra Goldner, Arlette Gordon, Charles Gradante, Kathy Klein, Matt and Shayna Kutcher, James LaBonte, Patricia Lambrecht and Daniel Hassett, Ellen L. Levy, Anka Palitz, Ellis J. Parker, Sarah Pietrafesa, Lois Pope and Bill Porter, Juan and Shanon Pretel, Kenneth and Karen Rogers, Gina and Jeff Sabean, Sherri Stephenson, Nancy Stone, Don and Mary Thompson, Gil Walsh, and Marjorie Yashar and Jerry Gibian.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Symphony board launches 49th season with members-only reception