The Èlan Circle of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League tried something new last year for its annual “Savor the Symphony” and it worked big time. Instead of the usual silent auction items (wine, trips, celebrity autographed items, signature jewelry, etc.,) they added violins “decorated” by local artists (aka “The Art of Music”). That was a game changer. Sure, the addition of the musical instruments helped raised $35,000, but organizers realized the musical pieces of art also provided great opportunities to start the momentum for the black-tie gala. They did that by getting folks together to check the fiddles in advance.
Last night the 10 stringed instruments were front and center for ooh-ing and ah-ing at Samuell Lynne Galleries.
With food provided by Food Glorious Food and flowers by The Garden Gate, nearly 100 guests eyed the violins on display, read about the artists (Justin Burns, Mark Crow, Lea Fisher, Kyle Hobratschk, Kelly Hansen Jekauc, Anna Membrino, Susan McWilliams, JD Miller, Heidi Lockhart Somes and Abigail Vega) and took smartphone photos of the little artworks.
JB Hayes debated. She loves bling and she loves pink. Just check out her iPhone case. Pink, it is. But she was torn. On the one hand, there was plenty of glitter on Susan McWilliam’s and Lea Fisher’s
violins with Swarovski crystals. Still, JB kept casting an eye over at Heidi Lockhart Somes’ ballerina. Warning, JB: Last year, Heidi’s violin made headlines, going for $20,000 pre-gala. Someone had purchased it at the sponsors’ party as a “surprise birthday gift for her husband.”
If you didn’t get a chance to see the ten last night, they’ll be on display until Tuesday, January 29, in the Escada windows at Highland Park Village. And, according to Art of Music Chair Amanda DeGraff, “if a potential bidder would like to see the violins in person and cannot make it to one of the viewings,” she’ll bring the violins to them.
And as for the bidding, it won’t be limited to the evening gala at the Adolphus on Saturday, March 23. You can bid online.
According to Èlan President Kaycee Holmes, “Each year the DSO reaches tens of thousands of students through its education and outreach programs, and the Èlan Circle is proud to provide both financial and volunteer support to those efforts. Thanks to our 2011-2012 members and supporters, the Èlan Circle was able to donate nearly $75,000 and 4,000 volunteer hours to programs including the Young Strings, Symphony YES! and the Cecil and Ida Green Youth Concerts.
“To best serve our mission, the Èlan Circle will undergo a strategic shift during the 2012-2013 season. Just as Mozart evolved music by adapting Baroque characteristics to the aesthetics of the Classical period, the Èlan Circle will keep our traditional mission – education, service and fundraising – while making strategic shifts to adjust to the ideals and lifestyles of our members to support the educational programs in our community.
“In keeping with that spirit, we will be focusing our fundraising efforts on the 13th annual Savor the Symphony event, which will be held on March 23, 2012.”
The black-tie gala will include a five-course wine dinner, silent and live auction and live entertainment in the Adolphus ballroom. It’s not one of those huge balls with thousands. Nope. It’s intimate and elegant for only 250 guests in the ballroom. So contact Blake Sachs, vice president of underwriting, at [email protected] for tickets and sponsorship opportunities.
Kaycee Holmes says
Thank you, Jeanne, for the lovely recap of our FUN event last night at Samuel Lynne Galleries! We are so thrilled to have introduced the 2nd annual The Art of Music violins; we’re looking forward to the awareness (and funds!) that the violins and the entire Savor the Symphony event will bring to the educational and outreach programs of the DSO!
-Kaycee