DuPage Symphony Orchestra Gala took place on March 10

The night was lit with a special performance by the 2017-2018 Young Artist Audition Winner Jason Lee who played Intermezzo Op. 118 No. 2 written by Brahms.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give,” said British statesman, army officer and writer Winston S. Churchill. Almost two hundred people gave to the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, one of the most notable community orchestras in the Chicago area, at the "Notable Pairings" Benefit Gala. It took place at the Marriott Naperville Hotel on Saturday, March 10 and was proudly supported by Naperville Bank & Trust.

Approximately $13,000 was raised during this unforgettable event that was organized to celebrate and benefit this most respected community orchestra that has existed since 1954. In order to continue providing inspiration and cultural enrichment through musical excellence, the DuPage Symphony Orchestra needs support, attention and appreciation from our community. It consists of nearly one hundred volunteer musicians, who passionately devote their time, talent and skills by presenting high quality music during their outstanding performances.

Under the baton of talented and extremely skilled Maestra Barbara Schubert, the DuPage Symphony Orchestra has become an inseparable part of the cultural life in the Chicago area. The orchestra was honored by the Illinois Council of Orchestras as the 2013 Community Orchestra of the Year; a well-deserved title! The "Notable Pairings" Benefit Gala proved that the orchestra is greatly appreciated by community members who don’t just come to its concerts and enjoy them, but also provide additional funding for the orchestra’s future achievements.

“The DuPage Symphony presented a ‘brunch with Barbara’ fundraiser a year ago, and now we have successfully presented a formal Gala, 'Notable Pairings,' to build on for future fundraisers,” said Jean True, Benefit Chair. “My committee proved they are all rock stars at the Gala. This event raised awareness of the DuPage Symphony to the one hundred eighty plus attendees, showed the profitable bidding on the great auction items including a trip to South Africa, and Zazz, a jazz group, had the guests dancing the night away. It really was a very successful event!”

Vice President Duff Harris was the Master of Ceremonies. His friendly and entertaining skills created just the right atmosphere for the night. The guest of honor was Mayor Emeritus George Pradel who gave an enthusiastic presentation that was greeted by the guests with great support. Auctioneer J. Gorman Cook was leading a live auction with high professionalism. His well-articulated voice attracted everyone’s attention. Raffle prizes and live auction prize packages were gone fast making many of the guests become proud prize holders as well as DuPage Symphony Orchestra contributors.

The night was lit with a special performance by the 2017-2018 Young Artist Audition Winner Jason Lee, who is a well-known piano player frequently appearing in notable venues and competitions in the Chicago area and beyond. Currently a sophomore at Naperville Central High School, Lee holds awards from the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition, Enkor International Competition, and the Grandquist Music Competition in Illinois. At the "Notable Pairings" Gala, Lee performed a touching piece called Intermezzo Op. 118 No. 2 written by German composer Johannes Brahms. His performance was greeted with warmth and a circle of applause.

The evening was full of smiles, laughter, beautiful music, passionate dances and delicious food. The guests were having a great time while supporting one of the most reputable community orchestras in the area, the DuPage Symphony Orchestra. The participation of each guest in "Notable Pairings" Benefit Gala was very important and made a great difference.

Such a success for the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, and such an unforgettable event! Local music lovers are looking forward to the orchestra’s upcoming concert called “Celebrate Now and Then” that will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 18 at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville. Besides that, a new exciting 2018-2019 concert season is coming, and with the funds raised at the “Notable Pairings” Gala it will be a success! “Without music, life would be a mistake,” said German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. With the help of the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, no such mistakes will ever be made.

Natalia Dagenhart

Photo: Courtesy of Natalia Dagenhart