Party of Note: A Garden Affair
The Parties of Note series, known for highlighting spectacular Valley homes, departed from that pattern for an evening at Desert Botanical Garden. The March 29 “Garden Affair” Party of Note was the first time The Phoenix Symphony played at the Garden. Dr. Oliver Harper, Symphony Board chair, and his wife, Sharon, joined board member Lon Babby and his wife, Ellen, to host the 120 guests at the event.
Tito Munoz, Virginia G. Piper Music Director
Attendees strolled through blooming garden trails on their way to the Ullman Terrace, an outdoor patio featuring the Garden Butte as a stunning backdrop. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour followed by dinner and intimate orchestra music performed by Phoenix Symphony musicians.
The program, which featured all Russian composers, started with a quartet performing pieces by Glasunov, Tchaikovsky and Borodin. For the finale, two additional musicians joined the performance for a piece by Rimsky-Korsokov.
In its sixth season, Parties of Note is a one-of-a-kind program offering a unique opportunity to spend an evening in an intimate setting with symphony musicians and friends, while enjoying a gourmet meal in some of the Valley’s finest homes.
PHOTOS COURTESY THE PHOENIX SYMPHONY
Alberto Rosales, Carole Downs, Candy Somers and Emmett Downing
Jeff Hunsinger, Fred Pakis, Dennis Daniel and Oliver Harper
Sharon Harper, Lise Harper and Oliver Harper
Diana and Paul Smith, Casidy Ward and Michael Ferneding, and Doris and Hong Kee Ong
Julie Prusak with Judd and Billie Jo Herberger
