GALAS & SPECIAL EVENTS
Gift of Music Gala
Guests waltzing to the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at the 2009 Gift of Music GalaPhoto Credit: Eric Weiss
St. Luke's Gift of Music Gala is an annual fundraising event, honoring an outstanding individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Each year the event features dinner, dancing, music by the Orchestra of St. Luke's and the presentation of our Gift of Music Award.
Our 2008 Gift of Music Gala celebrated Orchestra of St. Luke's Founder and President, Marianne C. Lockwood. The event, attended by close to 400 people, raised over $1 million for St. Luke's performance and education programs. OSL Board Chairman Norman Benzaquen chaired the event, and the honorary chairs were Mikhail Baryshnikov and Renée Fleming. David Monn, another St. Luke's trustee, generously donated the services of his company to provide stunning décor and floral arrangements for the opening of the Grand Ballroom at the Plaza Hotel. The evening was hosted by St. Luke's trustee Barbara Feldon, and included performances by Susan Graham and the Orchestra of St. Luke's.
Past Gift of Music Gala Honorees
2008 - Marianne C. Lockwood, OSL Founder and President
2007 - Orchestra of St. Luke's trustee, Joseph A. DiMenna
2006 - St. Luke's Board Chairman, Norman Benzaquen
2005 - The Caramoor International Music Festival: Judy Evnin, Michael Gellert, Peter Gottsegen and Elaine Schroeder
2004 - The Bay Foundation and the Josephine Bay Paul and C. Michael Paul Foundation
2003 - The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Stephen B. Heintz, President
2002 - Victor Elmaleh and Sono Osato
2001 - Sir Charles Mackerras, Music Director and M. Bernard Aidinoff, Chairman
2000 - Renée Fleming
1999 - Jessye Norman
1998 - Robert Shaw
1997 - Eugene R. McGrath, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
1996 - Judith Arron, Executive Director and Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall
1995 - André Previn
