Palm Beach Symphony finished its social season strong by inducting Lois Pop, a humanitarian and one of the nation’s leading philanthropists, into the Golden Baton Society at a dinner hosted by Patrick and Milly Park at The Beach Club in Palm Beach.

Pope was third to receive the exclusive designation honoring generous individuals whose cumulative support has helped the Symphony navigate its way to the top tier of American orchestras, following the Parks’ designation one year ago.

“Lois Pope has touched the lives of countless people around the nation and certainly right here in Palm Beach County,” said Palm Beach Symphony CEO David McClymont. “Her support has enabled the Symphony to expand upon its mission. Next season we will not only be adding a sixth Masterworks concert and performing the world premiere of our first commission, we will also be impacting the lives of hundreds of more students through our educational programming.”

Many attendees of the event received their highly desired tickets by winning them in a heated auction at the Palm Beach Symphony’s 20th Annual Gala earlier in the year.

A string quartet of Palm Beach Symphony musicians welcomed guests to the dinner followed by The Bianca Rosario Quartet served as dining room entertainment where guests enjoyed a mouthwatering first course of poached pears, mixed greens, candied pecans, crumbled goat cheese with a port wine vinaigrette followed by an expertly prepared duo entrée of filet of beef with cabernet thyme reduction and potato crusted Florida grouper with Chardonnay chive sauce.

Palm Beach Symphony Music Director Gerard Schwarz introduced Jonathan Solars, director of Jonathan Solars Fine Violins in New York, which provided a 1686 Stradivari for the night. Young virtuoso Yuhao Zhou blew the audience away performing Bach’s “Andante and Fugue” from the A minor solo sonata.

Attendees included Thomas and Dawn Assenzio, Arthur and Mara Benjamin, JoAnne Berkow, Thomas and Carol Bruce, Nannette Cassidy, Vera Chapman, Anthony DiResta and Terrance Mason, Douglas and Jo Gressette, Caroline Harless, George and Lisa Hines, Frederick and Beth Lane, Syndie Levien and David Hess, Marilyn Macron, Mary McCourt, Joseph and Max McNamara, Marietta Muiña McNulty and Alfonso Caminas-Muiña, Ellis and Nancy Parker, Steven and Katherine Pinard, Erick and Susan Reickert, Gudrun Sawerthal, Jonathan Solars, and Tom and Tricia Trimble.

Established in 1974 as a nonprofit arts organization, Palm Beach Symphony will continue to educate, engage and entertain the Palm Beach Community into the new social season commencing this fall.

The 49th Season will feature acclaimed violinists Joshua Bell and Sarah Chang, pianists Garrick Ohlsson, Misha Dichter and Maria João Pires and mezzo-soprano Susan Graham joining Maestro Schwarz in programs that will include two world premieres.

To find out more about becoming a Palm Beach Symphony member or purchasing a subscription, visit palmbeachsymphony.org.

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