90th Anniversary Gala Dinner

As the Fort Smith Symphony kicks off its 90th Anniversary, the opening concert and anniversary celebration will be extraordinary.  Beginning the special events on Saturday, October 5 at 5:00 p.m., members of the Symphony Board of Directors are hosting a Black-Tie Gala with a reception, gourmet dinner, fine wine, and fantastic music.

During the pre-dinner cocktail reception, the Symphony’s stringed ensemble will play as attendees visit about the dinner and concert.  The doors to the ballroom will open with a trumpet fanfare, and guests will find their tables.  Food is being served by 21 West End and Café 21 Catering and includes the following menu:
Fresh Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette
Filet Mignon with Herb Cheese Fondue
Truffle Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus
Cream Carmel Flan

Fine wines are being provided by In Good Spirits, Inc. and cocktails by Pernod Ricard USA.  Gift boxes of dark and white chocolate covered almonds are a gift from Candy Craze.

Chelsea Bushong, Symphony Harpist from Oklahoma City, will play during the meal.  Kathy Babb, Board President, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.  Special recognition will be given to Symphony Sponsors and Donors, present and past Board presidents and members, and Music Director and Conductor John Jeter.  Jeter is beginning his 18th year with the Fort Smith Symphony, and he is credited for the impressive growth and ability of the orchestra and the organization as a whole.  Jeter is the creator of the Symphony’s two award-winning educational programs, Symphony in the Schools for fifth graders and EARQUAKE!™ for six graders.  More than 3,000 students in the region participate in the programs each year.

A special feature of the evening will be Rebecca Shorstein, Soprano, from the New York Lyric Opera.  Ms. Shorstein will perform the following:
Scranton/Cheniworth: The Girl in 14G
Puccini: Quando men’vo from “La Boheme”
Johann Strauss: Mein Herr Marquis from “Die Fledermaus”

The dinner will conclude with the raffle drawing for acustom designed sapphire pendant donated by Newton’s Jewelers of Fort Smith.

The evening continues with the 2013/2014 season’s opening concert 90th Anniversary Celebration.
Composer Charles Booker’s new work, Borderline, a vibrant musical tribute to the orchestra’s ninety years and the city it calls home.  The work reflects the fact that Fort Smith is a border city.  Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3, a beautiful work performed in recognition of the many decades of the Symphony’s concerts of traditional classics will complete the first half of the concert.  Alan Chow is the guest artist.