It was an evening filled with an inspired performance on piano, fine food and wine and good friends sharing their appreciation for and love of great music. The event was Sarasota Orchestra’s Black & White Gala Concert and Dinner, held at Holley Hall and the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium.
More than 300 elegantly attired guests moved into Holly Hall for a concert by world-renowned pianist Andrew von Oeyen. Actually, there were two stars in the Hall that night - von Oeyen and the new Steinway & Sons grand piano, gifted to the orchestra by an anonymous donor and the William and Marie Selby Foundation.
Von Oeyen delighted the audience with two pieces by Franz Liszt, followed by two pieces by Claude Debussy, “Clair de lune” from “Suite bergamasque” and “L’isle joyeuse.”
Guests were welcomed by board member Tom Koski and orchestra Music Director Anu Tali, who thanked the audience for coming, noting that “You always lift us up. I am so happy to have artists playing on this wonderful instrument,” she said.
Once the concert was over, guests made the short walk to the Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, beautifully decorated by Anne Folsom Smith and her team, for a delicious dinner catered by Michael’s on East.
Guests were welcomed by orchestra President and CEO Joseph McKenna, who noted that “Gratitude begins in the heart,” and the Sarasota community has always shown its gratitude through its philanthropy. Board member Tammie Sandoval reminded guests of the orchestra’s mission: “to engage, educate and enrich our community through high-quality musical experiences,” something it has been doing for 69 years.
“The skill, dedication and commitment of these musicians have put us in the top tier of orchestras in the United States,” said Beverly Bartner. Renee Hamad added that much of the credit goes to Anu Tali. “She is extraordinary, and has brought us to the level where we are today,” she said.
Guests were entertained by the Sarasota Wind Quintet (Betsy Traba, flute; Adam De Sorgo, oboe; Fernando Traba, bassoon; Joshua Horne, French horn; and Bharat Chandra, clarinet), and later in the evening by the Sarasota Orchestra String Quartet.
Seen at the event were co-chairs Tom and Sherry Koski, Beverly and Bob Bartner and Renee Hamad, Frank and Anne Folsom Smith, David and Linda Green, Jeff Seibert and Charlie Huisking, Mort and Bunny Skirboll, Charles and Charlotte Perret, Mary Hoffman, Michael Chokr, Georgia Court, Fiona and John Marchisi, Hugh Steele and Sigrid Gebel, Greg Badger, Harry Leopold and Audrey Robbins, Betty Schoenbaum, Marlo Turner, Roxie and Mike Jerde, Mark Pritchett and Veronica Brady, Nelle Miller, Jocelyn Udell and many more.

Black & White Gala
1. Joseph McKenna, Anu Tali and Andrew von Oeyen.
2. Renee Hamad, Beverly and Bob Bartner.
3. Sherry and Tom Koski.
4. Chuck and Margie Barancik.
5. Beathe and Gerald Elden.
6. Albert and Norma Cohen.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WENDY DEWHURST-CLARK