Black-tie ball

Fort Worth Symphony patrons honor musical heroes at glorious gala

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's 2020 Gala was a glorious celebration of artistic achievement — then and now.

Themed "Immortal Beloved at 250: A Very Special Gala Concert with Midori & Beethoven 5," the February 8 event was meant to honor the legacy of hero-composer Ludwig van Beethoven, 250 years after his birth.

In just as many ways, it honored the legacy of the orchestra's own hero, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, who is stepping down as FWSO music director after 20 years. This was his final gala concert to conduct.

Per usual, the black-tie ball was composed of multiple parts, starting with a blockbuster concert. VIPs gathered in the Green Room at Bass Hall before finding their seats inside the packed concert hall.

The evening's notable attendees included FWSO chairman and gala dinner chair Mercedes T. Bass, along with co-chairs Ashli Blumenfeld, Mary Lipscomb, Frasher Pergande, and Jonathan T. Suder.

In his pre-performance remarks to the audience, Harth-Bedoya underscored Beethoven's impact on orchestras and their repertoire.

"What we call a symphony orchestra was defined by Beethoven. Before him, there were attempts to create works for large ensembles, but Beethoven is the person who decided this is it," he said. "And also, he was the first composer who insisted that he compose art. He didn't write music. And those things combined are the legacy that we have today."

Grammy Award-winning violinist Midori joined the orchestra for a performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto that earned several curtain calls. Without intermission, Harth-Bedoya and the orchestra launched into the iconic "short-short-short-long" opening to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

After the concert's triumphant conclusion, patrons scooped up their gowns and boarded luxury buses for a quick shuttle to the Worthington Renaissance Hotel, where a reception and dinner-dance awaited. About 300 guests sipped champagne and wine, along with the signature cocktail — a blood orange-tequila drink called Beethoven's Favorite (who knew he fancied tequila?) — before the ballroom doors opened for dinner.

Mingling in the crowd were noted Fort Worth arts supporters, business leaders, and philanthropists, including Cliburn CEO Jacques Marquis and wife Sandra Doan, Texas Ballet Theater executive director Vanessa Logan, Capera Ryan, Lisa Fortson, Dr. Asad Dean, Dotty Hall, Justin Anderson, Anne Marie and Doug Bratton, and hundreds more. Orchestra musicians who joined in the fun included Kyle Sherman and wife Tess, Shields-Collins Bray, Deborah Brooks, Cara Owens, William Clay, and Pam Holland Adams.

Guests dined on a unique menu that nodded to Harth-Bedoya's Peruvian heritage: purple Peruvian potato slices with asparagus spears and smoked salmon; chili-rubbed roasted chicken breast with lentils, salsa criolla garnish, aji amarillo, verde sauce, and cauliflower with Epoisses cheese; and for dessert, quinoa pudding with pineapple chutney and chocolate.

FWSO President and CEO Keith Cerny acknowledged Harth Bedoya's legacy and gave guests a quick update on the search for a new music director. FWSO continues to bring in guest conductors, he said, assuring patrons that "the future is bright."

With the help of auctioneer John Pergande, Harth-Bedoya led a raise-the-paddle fundraising initiative for the nationally recognized Adventures in Music program that reaches 65,000 young people each year. "We are raising funds so all children continue to receive the gift of beautiful music," the maestro said.

Patrons raised their paddles to contribute amounts as high as at $5,000, but before they finished, Harth-Bedoya pulled a surprise. He asked everyone to contribute just $40 more than they'd planned — or the cost of a few Starbucks drinks — to help FWSO sprint across the finish line.

It worked. The initiative raised $125,465 — far outpacing their goal of $100,000.

Mercedes Bass offered celebratory remarks and officially opened the dance floor, where patrons moved and grooved and sang along with the band Time Machine.

The next FWSO Gala will take place February 20, 2021, and will feature legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Miguel Harth-Bedoya and family, from left: daughter Elena, son Emilio, wife Maritza Caceres, daughter Elisa

Elena, Emilio, Maritza Caceres, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Elisa

Photo by Paul Moseley

Miguel Harth-Bedoya and family, from left: daughter Elena, son Emilio, wife Maritza Caceres, daughter Elisa

fundraisers music galas

Hot-to-trot party

Former Fort Worth mayor helps corral big bucks at New Hope Equine gala

Photo by Savanna Romano

Betsy Price, Scott Murray

As the sun set over expansive pastures north of Fort Worth, hundreds of city slickers headed up to the country, to Lucky Spur Ranch Retreat in Justin for the 2024 Hope Gala.

Benefiting New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy, the October 25 fundraising party went all in on the horse theme, offering guests "A Night at the Races."

About 220 attendees arrived donning Derby hats and fascinators, bowties, fedoras, and cowboy boots - it was on a ranch after all, and not Churchill Downs. They mingled and posed with New Hope horses, browsed an impressive array of silent auction items, tossed horseshoes at whiskey bottles, and wet their whistles at an open bar alfresco.

When the dinner bell rang, folks moseyed inside and filled up on a buffet of Southwestern favorites, including beef skirt steak, grilled chicken, street corn, and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes. Nothing Bundt Cakes provided enough cake bites to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Master of ceremonies, former NBC5 sports anchor Scott Murray, welcomed guests and acknowledged New Hope leadership, including gala event chair Jason Hodson.

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Claire Messerle, Betsy Price, Katie MesserlePhoto by Savanna Romano

Moments later came a rousing "Howdy, y'all!" - the familiar greeting from former Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price, who served as the event's honorary chair. She underscored the importance of the organization's mission.

"New Hope isn't just a service, but it opens doors for those who think they don't have the strength, they don't have the courage or the connections to regain their sense of independence," she told the crowd.

Photo by Savanna Romano

Hope Gala honorary chair Betsy Price with emcee Scott Murray.

Since 2012, New Hope has been healing through therapeutic horsemanship for people of all ages with physical, intellectual, or developmental special needs. In 2022, they debuted the Natural Horsemanship program for veterans and first responders grappling with post-traumatic stress.

Funds raised at the gala support the “New Hope” that riders need for a better quality of life.

But the horses benefit, too. The majority of New Hope horses enjoy a second life with the organization; some were even on local kill lists.

"This is Texas, folks! We ride horses in Texas," Price concluded. "And every dollar that you give tonight or that you invest somewhere along the way will be doubled or tripled in the returns to these folks who need the therapy and the ones who work in the barns and help us."

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Guests bid in the live auction.Photo by Savanna Romano

Auctioneer Mike Trent got bidding going fast and furiously in a live auction for one-of-a-kind trips and experiences, including a vacation to Hilton Head (sold for $2,600), a dinner with several Dallas Cowboys legends (sold for $7,000), and a luxury suite concert experience at Dickies Arena (sold for more than $10,000).

In total, the gala raised $95,000 for New Hope programs.

"The annual cost to care for one horse runs about $6,000, so your generosity will help us care for our horses that provide vital therapy to our over 40 participants," organizers said afterwards.

New Hope Equine Hope Gala 2024 Champagne Yacht Club Band kept the dance floor lively.Photo by Savanna Romano

As some guests wandered outside to enjoy the fresh nighttime air, others got moving and grooving on the dance floor to the sounds of the Champagne Yacht Club Band.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the night were New Hope patrons, staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters, including Hamilton Sneed, Jennifer Kiedrowski, Nicole Matwijiw, Jennifer Morris, Pat Fultz, Red Fultz, Devan Peplow, Kathleen Beisly, Emily Rogers-Hicks, Susan Altshuler, Lauren Cobb, Ashley Cox, Mikenley Johnson, Blake Johnson, Kathleen Alexander, Melissa Howard, Claire Messerle, Katie Messerle, Sharla Kershen, Dave Kershen, Jason Hodson, Aaron Sturman, Jennifer Kiedrowski, Neal Bondy, Paul Barstad, Melanie Barstad, Mark Powers, DeAnna Powers, Kim Martin, Darlene Jacobs, Jim Jacobs, Debbie Thayer, and hundreds more.