Cynthia and Brice Beaird have been named Honorary Chairs for the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Sapphire Gala and Season Finale which will be held on May 21, 2017 at the Meyerson Symphony Center. This glittering SAPPHIRE evening is the only fundraising event for the youth orchestra. It will include a buffet dinner and silent auction before the concert with post-concert desserts. The Sapphire Gala begins at 5:30 p.m. and the Season Finale Concert is at 7:30 p.m.
Venise Stuart is the Gala Chair and Cathy Hernandez is the Executive Director of GDYO.
The Beairds are longtime supporters of the Dallas Community. Cynthia is a founding Partner/Executive VP with Allie Beth Allman and Associates. She is active with Crystal Charity Ball, Junior League of Dallas Sustaining Advisor, Dallas Summer Musical Board, and Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society.
Brice is the owner of the Beaird Agency, Inc. and also a singer/songwriter. He began writing songs when he was ten years old and gained a true appreciation for classical music, songwriting and performing. He has been active with many organizations including the Salesmanship Club, Dallas Zoo Board, and Perkins School of Theology Executive Board.
“We are honored to serve as the Honorary Chairs for the Sapphire Gala,” said Cynthia. “We are grateful to all the many volunteers who make this all possible.”
The proceeds from the evening will benefit the GDYO Scholarship Fund and the GDYO Tour Fund, allowing deserving students a chance to not only experience the GDYO Program, but to be further enriched by experiencing new cultures while traveling and preforming with their peers. Each year, young musicians in GDYO receive $20,000 in scholarships, and that number doubles in a tour year.
Sapphire Gala tickets begin at $125 and include a concert ticket. Single concert tickets are $10-$40. Table Host is $1,000. Sponsorships are $10,000, $6,000, $3000, $1750. GDYO Family Single Tickets are $50. Sponsors and Table Host benefits include preferred seating, special program visibility and more.
Tickets are available on the GDYO website www.gdyo.org or by calling (214) 528-7747. Tickets can be purchased the night of the performance at the Meyerson Box Office.
For more information contact Amber Oosterwaal by email amber@gdyo.org or (214) 528-7747.
Sapphire Gala
Through the ages, SAPPHIRES have been treasured for their sparkle, romance and beauty. GDYO promises the same shimmering brilliance at the SAPPHIRE Anniversary’s Season Finale and Spring Gala celebrating 45 years in the community. The SAPPHIRE Gala celebrates GDYO families and patrons and raises critical funding to grow and support music education and performance opportunities for extremely talented and dedicated area youth.
Season Finale Concert
The top ensemble, the GDYO, brings together 110 of the DFW area’s best high school musicians with a concert that will feature guest violinist Chee-Yun. Violinist Chee-Yun's flawless technique, dazzling tone and compelling artistry have enraptured audiences on five continents. Charming, charismatic and deeply passionate about her art, Chee-Yun continues to carve a unique place for herself in the ever-evolving world of classical music. Repertoire includes Wagner’s Prelude to Act III from Lohengrin, Ives’ The Unanswered Question, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, and Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires with soloist Chee Yun.
About GDYO
Founded in 1972, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra by parents, educators, and members of the Dallas music community to providing music education and performance opportunities for youth with demonstrated musical ability. The program includes over 450 talented musicians, ages 8 to 18, performing in two full orchestras, three string orchestras, a wind ensemble, a flute choir, and eight jazz combos, and socializing with a diverse group of highly talented peers from more than 50 communities.
The GDYO is funded in part by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, TACA, and the Texas Commission on the Arts, with funding from the State of Texas and the National Endowments for the Arts.
In addition to performing at the Meyerson the GDYO tours internationally including China in the summer of 2007, a tour of Germany and the Czech Republic in 2012, and a tour to China in 2015. The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra program offers training to 480 talented youth musicians, ages 8 to 18.
Scott Cantrell of the Dallas Morning News has said that “Dallas should be proud to have such ambassadors” and “...lucky are these kids to be initiated into symphonic music in so professional an environment. Even the ones who don’t go on to performing careers will be passionate and knowledgeable and demanding audiences of tomorrow.”