Phoenix Symphony Gala Rings in the New
Year with An Evening in Paris:
Celebrating 60 Years of Music

Valley's premier musical social event features Dennis Rowland,
Extreme Decibel Big Band and The Phoenix Symphony

(PHOENIX) - Ring in 2008 with The Phoenix Symphony! One of the Valley's signature social events of the year, The Phoenix Symphony's Annual Gala will be held on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2007. This year's Gala, entitled An Evening in Paris, takes place at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale featuring performances by jazz vocalist Dennis Rowland and the Extreme Decibel Big Band, as well as The Phoenix Symphony under the direction of Resident Conductor Lawrence Golan.

The evening's activities begin at 8 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as well as the annual Gala auction. Spectacular auction items include two trips to Paris including hotel and roundtrip airfare. A sumptuous four-course dinner prepared by renowned Kierland Resort Executive Chef Todd Berry is served at 9:30 p.m. followed by dancing into the New Year. Long counted among the most elegant of the Valley's social gatherings each season, the Symphony Gala remains the only such event to feature live music played by a full symphony orchestra each year. Musical selections for the evening highlight the City of Lights with a special cabaret performance by Ballet Etudes and traditional New Year's Eve waltzes.

Invitations to this season's Symphony Gala were mailed to Valley residents and corporate officers in late October. Tickets for An Evening in Paris begin at $600 per person with group and corporate tables also available. Gala chairs Barbara Caldwell Taylor and Robert S. Taylor and the entire Gala Committee promise a spectacular evening, with the option of extending the celebration with an overnight stay and New Year's Day activities at the resort. This year's Honorary Chairs are Gerry and Peggy Murphy.

Since 1954, the annual benefit event has been held to raise money in support of the Symphony. Over the past five decades, the stylish efforts and extraordinary accomplishments of the Gala's hundreds of dedicated volunteers have raised over $15 million. The Gala's proceeds are earmarked toward supporting The Phoenix Symphony's education, outreach, and artistic activities, including concerts for school children, family programs, and other presentations throughout the state of Arizona serving more than 300,000 adults, children, and families each year.

Sponsorship opportunities for this season's Symphony Gala are available at both the corporate and individual level. A special packet is available outlining sponsor benefits and options (from $6,000 to $160,000), as well as table hosting and advertising opportunities for the Symphony Gala Program Book. More details and a packet can be requested from Marsha Berland at 602-495-1117, ext. 334.

Optional stay-the-night and New Year's Day activities at the Westin Kierland Resort are being offered for the Symphony Gala attendees, including special hotel rates, a New Year's Day brunch, spa treatments, and golf packages (availability is limited).

For more information about the Symphony Gala, contact The Phoenix Symphony Development Office at 602-495-1117, ext. 334.

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About The Phoenix Symphony: Celebrating its 60th Anniversary Season, The Phoenix Symphony has been proudly serving the citizens of the Phoenix metropolitan area and Arizona since 1947. What began as an occasional group of musicians performing a handful of concerts each year (in a city of fewer than 100,000 people) today serves more than 300,000 people annually, with 275 concerts and presentations throughout the greater Phoenix area and beyond.

Under the artistic leadership of Michael Christie as the Virginia G. Piper Music Director and administrative leadership of President Maryellen H. Gleason, the orchestra is overseen by the non-profit Phoenix Symphony Association under Board Chairman Gerald W. Murphy.

The 76-member Phoenix Symphony presents an annual season from September through the beginning of June, featuring full-length classical and pops concerts at Sym­phony Hall in downtown Phoenix, in Scottsdale, in Prescott, and throughout central Arizona. The Symphony performs for more than 50,000 students and children, helping to introduce music to new generations through a variety of education and youth-engagement programs.

NEW YEAR'S EVE SYMPHONY GALA
Special Event

December 31 - Monday evening at 8:00 p.m.
Westin Kierland Resort
6902 East Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale

THE PHOENIX SYMPHONY
Lawrence Golan, conductor

An Evening in Paris

Celebrate 60 years of The Phoenix Symphony music evoking love,
passion, romance and excitement for one of the Valley's premiere
social events. Revel in the Symphony's annual New Year's Eve
Gala for an evening filled with dancing, dining, unique entertainment
and fabulous auction items. For more information, call today.

TICKETS: $600 PER PERSON
CALL 602-495-1117 Ext 334