BC Business
The sold-out 28th annual Vancouver Symphony Ball raised over $790,000 for VSO music programs
Maestro Bramwell Tovey
A sold-out crowd of 650 symphony lovers came together for the 28th annual Vancouver Symphony Ball at the Vancouver Convention Centre on February 22, raising over $790,000 for the program and music education of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. The evening began with a champagne reception as guests browsed silent auction items. Peter Legge, Canada Wide Media Ltd. chairman and CEO, was the master of ceremonies, with welcoming remarks by gala co-chairs Karin Smith, Alexandra Mauler-Steinmann and Lauren Armstrong, plus Kelly Tweeddale, president of the VSO and VSO School of Music. The concert, conducted by maestro Bramwell Tovey, featured a performance by his daughter Jessica Tovey. Hank Bull conducted the live auction, which was followed by dancing to the VSO and a raffle draw.
Proceeds from the Vancouver Symphony Ball help sustain the VSO’s varied programs, including 13 unique music education initiatives that touch the lives of over 50,000 children each year.
Gala co-chairs Karin Smith, realtor; Lauren Armstrong, Rubicon Organics director of marketing; Alexandra Mauler-Steinmann, consultant; and Peter Legge, Canada Wide Media chairman & CEO
Colleen Hart, Provincial Health Services Authority VP; and Lincoln Schreiner, Goldcorp VP
Jennifer Hungerford; Michael Hungerford, Hungerford Properties president; and Mollie Massie
Betty Lebel and her husband, Pierre Lebel, Imperial Metals Corp. chairman
Nancy MacKay, MacKay CEO Forums CEO; and Rob MacKay, MacKay CEO Forums COO
Art Willms, NaiKun Wind Energy Group director; and Kelly Tweeddale, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra president and CEO and VSO School of Music president
Telus Corp. community affairs directors Andrea Martin and Kenn Hamlin
From the VSO: Tammy Hu, development officer; Jason Hulbert, manager corporate programs; Lauren Watson, manager annual giving; and Mary Butterfield, individual and legacy giving director
Olin Anton, retired; and Colin Hansen, AdvantageBC president and CEO
Suzanne Anton, former attorney general of B.C. and minister of justice; Karimah Es Sabar, Quark Venture Inc. partner and CEO; Chris Black, Surrey School District department head counsellor; and her husband, Iain Black, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade president and CEO
Kerrie Sayer and her husband, Ryan Sayer, Unison Construction president and CEO
Lennis Isberg, mortgage broker; and Carl Pines, Owen Bird senior counsel
Jennifer Gaze and her husband, Christopher Gaze, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival founding artistic director
Lorne Segal, Kingswood Properties Ltd. president and his wife, Melita Segal
Outgoing VSO music director Bramwell Tovey; and Peter Legge, Canada Wide Media Ltd. chairman and CEO
Master of Ceremonies Peter Legge, Canada Wide Media Ltd. chairman and CEO
Musician Jessica Tovey being conducted by her dad, maestro Bramwell Tovey
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Musician Jessica Tovey
Peter Legge interviews maestro Bramwell Tovey