Baby it’s cold out there, but the Lake Forest Symphony invites supporters to enjoy the warmth of classical music and the heat of jazz music at its annual gala Feb. 4.
The third annual Hot Jazz on a Cold Night raises funds for educational programs, including a symphony performance at Waukegan schools in March. Funds also help support string quartet performances and visits to patients with dementia.
The event features appetizers, champagne, wine, dinner, dancing and classical and jazz performances, along with a silent auction.
“It’s a really fun way to support the activities of the symphony,” said Susan Lape, executive director. “We’ll have classical music, and it’s also an opportunity to experience music from another genre with a live jazz performance.”
Alex Maragos of NBC 5 News, will serve as host.
During dinner, violinist Stefan Milenkovich who performed a solo with the symphony at its September concert, will play selections from the Carmen Fantasy. “He is internationally renowned,” said Lape. “It was really kind of him to come and play for this. It will be one of the highlights of the evening.”
After dinner, the Carl Noble Trio, a jazz combo from Lake Forest, will perform. “They’ll play dance music and old jazz standards from Nat King Cole. They have a big repertoire,” Lape said.
The symphony, in existence for 59 years, holds this event to raise funds for its educational and community programs.
Gail Sturm, vice president of the Lake Forest Symphony and chairwoman of the gala said, “Where we want to focus our dollars is in education programming and development of our youth, and for communities of children who don’t have any exposure to classical music.
“Classical music offers a healing to its audience in a way that no other venue can. When children are exposed to classical music, it helps them develop intellectually and stimulates their curiosity about the arts and they grow up to support it.”
Lape said a dozen or more members of the symphony visit schools all over Lake County to offer free performances to students between third and fifth grades, a perfect time to get them interested in learning to play an instrument
Sturm said when children’s concerts are presented at schools, the youngsters get to meet the musicians and touch the instruments. “It takes the mystery out of classical music,” she said.
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The symphony also sends a string quartet to a local facility housing people with dementia, a program the board is hoping to grow, Lape said.
“String quartets are shown to be the most therapeutic form of music therapy,” she said. “There’s a lot of research that shows it can ease anxiety and stress. We do rhythmic participation with them, and we do sing-alongs with them. It’s very soothing to them.”
Lake Forest Symphony gala Hot Jazz on a Cold Night
When: 6:30 p.m. cocktails; 7:30 p.m. dinner; 9-11 p.m. dessert, music and dancing Feb. 4
Where; Onwentsia Club, 300 Green Bay Road, Lake Forest
Tickets: $250
Information: 847-295-2135; www.lakeforestsymphony.org