Jacksonville Symphony Pushes Forward With Largest Fundraising Event Of The Season

From The JAX Chamber:

February 23, 2021

Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jacksonville Symphony will continue forward with plans for their largest fundraising event of the season: the Symphony Gala. The Gala will take place over two nights: the free and open Virtual Fundraiser on March 5, and the live concert in Jacoby Symphony Hall on March 6. The 2021 Symphony Gala is presented by Truist.

Summary:

• Virtual Gala Fundraiser – Friday, March 5, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Includes culmination of Virtual Silent Auction
  • Includes Virtual Live Auction
  • One-hour event highlighting how the Jacksonville Symphony has impacted the community
  • Free and open to the public
  • More information can be found here
• Live Gala Concert – Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Feature performance by pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Music Director Courtney Lewis and the Jacksonville Symphony
  • Tickets can be purchased here
• All funds raised from both evenings will benefit the Jacksonville Symphony and all its programs.

Additional Details:

Virtual Fundraiser – Friday, March 5 – 7:30 p.m.:

In past seasons, the Symphony Gala has featured an elegant evening of exemplary live music followed by an in-person dinner with a limited audience. This season, the Gala will still be an elegant evening, but split into two. For the first time, the Jacksonville Symphony will host a Virtual Fundraising event that will take place on the evening of March 5.

The virtual event will feature performances by Symphony ensembles, inspiring speeches by Music Director Courtney Lewis, President & CEO Steven Libman, and surprise guests, and will showcase how the Symphony has continued to stir the soul of the community through these trying times. The event is free and open to the public. The virtual event will also feature a Live Auction, and will be the culmination of a virtual Silent Auction that will be going on prior to the event. The Silent Auction is also open to the public and registration can be found here. All funds raised from both evenings will benefit the Jacksonville Symphony and all its programs.

Live Concert – Saturday, March 6 – 7:30 p.m.:

As in seasons past, the Symphony Gala will feature a live concert with Music Director Courtney Lewis and the Jacksonville Symphony. Joining the orchestra this season will be internationally recognized pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. Thibaudet will be performing one of his signature piano concertos with roots in America’s greatest musical gift to the world: jazz. Inspired by the American style’s adoption in Europe, Maurice Ravel’s G major Concerto features jazzy opening and closing movements that bracket a resplendent middle movement where time seems to stand still. Thibaudet opens with Gershwin’s variations on perhaps his most famous tune, "I Got Rhythm."

About Jean-Yves Thibaudet

For more than three decades, Thibaudet has performed world-wide, recorded more than 50 albums, and built a reputation as one of today’s finest pianists. From the start of his career, he delighted in music beyond the standard repertoire, from jazz to opera, which he transcribed himself to play on the piano. His profound professional friendships crisscross the globe and have led to spontaneous and fruitful collaborations in film, fashion, and visual art.

Thibaudet’s recording catalog has received two Grammy nominations, the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik, the Diapason d’Or, the Choc du Monde de la Musique, the Edison Prize, and Gramophone awards. He is the soloist on Wes Anderson’s upcoming film The French Dispatch; his playing can also be heard in “Pride and Prejudice,” “Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,” “Wakefield,” and the Oscar-winning and critically acclaimed film “Atonement.”

Safety Protocols and Tickets:

The safety of patrons, musicians and staff remains the Symphony’s top priority. Based on CDC guidelines, and the results of the survey sent to patrons in June, the Symphony has developed a comprehensive list of safety protocols that are in place for the 2020/21 season. These protocols include, but are not limited to, a mask requirement while in the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, abbreviated programming that will last between 60-75 minutes, and physically distanced seating throughout Jacoby Symphony Hall and the Moran Theater. A full list of the Jacksonville Symphony’s safety protocols can be found here.

For more information, or to purchase tickets please visit JaxSymphony.org or call the Box Office at 904.354.5547.

This press release was produced by The JAX Chamber. The views expressed here are the author’s own.