Arts & Events

Press Release: Berkeley Symphony to Honor Composers at May 18 Gala

From Jenny Lee, Berkeley Symphony Orchestra

Tuesday April 17, 2012 - 11:05:00 AM

Adhering to its rich history of presenting cutting-edge music, Berkeley Symphony will honor the artists who write and perform the music—its composers and musicians—at its 2012 Gala, RESONATE! Celebrating Composers & Musicians. Hosted by Music Director Joana Carneiro, RESONATE! will be held on May 18 at the landmark Claremont Hotel Club & Spa.

This annual gala, which is Berkeley Symphony’s premier fundraising event, promises to be an entertaining evening with a spirited reception and silent auction, an elegant seated dinner and live auction, and special musical performances throughout the evening. Attendees will be able to meet Maestra Carneiro, Berkeley Symphony’s new Executive Director René Mandel, and many of the Symphony’s established and emerging composers, soloists, and musicians. Every table at this gala event will feature an honored guest, including East Bay Area composers Paul Dresher and Gabriela Lena Frank, both of whom have collaborated with Berkeley Symphony in recent and current seasons. Other guest composers are Andreia Pinto-Correia, a Portuguese composer known for championing the folk music of Portugal, and Dylan Mattingly, an alumnus of Berkeley Symphony’s Under Construction program for emerging composers.

“This event showcases everything that Berkeley Symphony is about,” says Music Director Joana Carneiro. “By bringing all these wonderful, talented composers and musicians together, the Gala embraces the Symphony’s mission to commission and perform new works. Giving our supporters the chance to meet these artists in such a lovely setting emphasizes this new mission and will be inspiring for everyone who comes to the event.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit Berkeley Symphony’s new initiative to perform a world premiere commission at every future season subscription concert, as well as its award-winning Music in the Schools program. This unique music education program represents an 18-year partnership with the Berkeley Unified School District to provide hands-on music education in all eleven of Berkeley’s public elementary schools. A distinguishing feature of Music in the Schools is that every child is an active participant in the act of music making.

For more information, including a complete list of honored composers and musicians, and to purchase gala tickets, visit this site.

Upcoming Concerts

Berkeley Symphony Zellerbach Hall Concert

Thursday, April 26 at 8 pm

Pre-concert talk at 7:10 pm

Joana Carneiro, conductor

Jessica Rivera, soprano

San Francisco Girls Chorus

Kodály, Dances of Galánta

Bartók, Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta

Gabriela Lena Frank, Holy Sisters (World Premiere Commission)

Concert Venue: Zellerbach Hall, Berkeley