Patrons and friends of the McLean Orchestra gathered at the annual Patrons’ Gala to raise funds for the orchestra. The fund-raising broke all records with over a third more funds raised than last year and an increase in attendance by approximately 25 percent.
The “Reaching for the Stars” themed gala featured a silent auction of more than 160 items — including a cooler filled with wines, jewels donated by Tiffany’s, tickets to a Washington Wizards basketball game and weekend getaways for two. Sam Solovey from NBC reality show “The Apprentice” was the auctioneer for the event, and brought bidders to their feet to compete for items such as a mink capelet, a week at the Trump Tower in Palm Beach and an opportunity to conduct the orchestra.
Presented by Provident Bank, the event raised funds for the orchestra’s programs, including special support expanding the orchestra’s music library and outreach programs. The Law Offices of Chung & Press, P.C. and Spectrum Title Company, Inc., were the star sponsors for the event, and the Richards Corporation was the Youth Orchestra benefactor.
The evening opened with the silent auction and a cocktail reception hosted by Belle Brent and Ron Duchin of McLean. Attendees were feted with the sounds of strings and brass provided by members of the McLean Orchestra and McLean Youth Orchestra and sponsored by McLean Orchestra Maestro Sylvia Alimena and Tina Anderson, Youth Orchestra Director.
A three-course dinner was provided by Randall Hagner, Ltd., and Bill and Mary Lauttamus sponsored the entertainment which had gala attendees dancing to the tunes of the band “Entourage.”
The McLean Orchestra is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Founded in 1971, today’s orchestra is directed by Maestro Sylvia Alimena.