Golden Hours: Reception starts countdown to PB Symphony's 50th anniversary evening

More than 150 music lovers filled the Findlay Galleries for a reception marking the approach of the Palm Beach Symphony's 50th anniversary gala.

The reception took place Jan. 6 and also honored the gala's chairs and honorary chairs.

Gallery principals James Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui hosted the event.

“It has been our great pleasure to host this event for a number of years, yet a 50th anniversary is something very special, and I have little doubt that this gala will be a highlight of the social season,” said Borynack, who is also chair of the symphony’s board of directors.

“Cathie Black and Tom Harvey have graciously accepted the roles of chairs for the gala with honorary chairs Patrick and Milly Park," he said.

“The annual gala is one of the signature fundraising events that supports the symphony’s world-class music and important education and community initiatives,” said Zaralegui. “Each year, the symphony reaches thousands of students throughout Palm Beach County with coaching sessions, residencies, instrument donations and the Dale A. McNulty Children’s Concert Series that are now also introducing orchestra music to millions of young people through broadcasts across the nation.”

In addition to cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and music, the evening included the preview of an exhibition of works by American-Ukrainian abstract painter Simeon Braguin.

The show comprised carefully balanced geometric shapes painted in pastel colors with Braguin's combination of the playful wire-like lines of Cocteau with the sensuous color shapes of Matisse.

The Palm Beach Symphony's 50th anniversary gala takes place Wednesday evening at the Kravis Center.

The night will include a preperformance cocktail reception in the Cohen Pavilion; a Masterworks concert in Dreyfoos Hall; and postconcert dinner, live auction and dancing to the music of the Danny Beck Band.

The concert will feature piano virtuoso Emanuel Ax with Maestro Gerard Schwarz conducting a program that includes a world premiere of a composition by Aaron Jay Kernis. The work was commissioned for the Palm Beach Symphony by Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter in honor of Leonard and Judy Lauder.

Guests at the Findlay Galleries reception included David Albenda; Max and Christine Ansbacher; Arthur and Mara Benjamin; Gene Bernstein and Kathleen Walsh; William and Anna Braithwaite; Richard and Sheryne Brekus; Thomas and Carol Bruce; Sharon Bush and Bob Murray; Vera Chapman; Thomas D'Agostino and Danielle Rollins; Todd and Julie Dahlstrom; Margaret Donnelley and Angus Donnelley; Willard Dow and Kelly Winter; Paul, Irina and Charles Du Quenoy; Michelle DuBois; Richard and Diane Farber; Ray Farris and Jacqueline Pearson; Gerald Gibian and Marjorie Yashar; Barbara and RC Gilbert; Arlette Gordon and Stanton Collemer; Ursula Gwynne and Charles Schmidt; Michael and Theresa Hammond; Denis Hanrahan; Joseph Andrew and Carol Hays; John Herrick and Tyler Moynihan; Pamela Howard and Wynn Laffey; John and Christine Jannarone; Lawrence Kaplan; Elaine Kay; Phillip Robinson; Gina and Jeffrey Sabean; Bruce Trent and Claudia Boston; and Jim Verrant.

Proceeds from the gala will assist the Palm Beach Symphony in its mission to engage, educate, and entertain the greater community of the Palm Beaches through live performances of orchestral music.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Reception starts countdown to PB Symphony's 50th anniversary evening