League offers magic through music series

By Sharon Adams

Dixey Arterburn, 2024-2025 president of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League, announced the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League was selected to receive a League of American Orchestra’s Gold Award of Excellence for the DSOL’s 2024 Savor the Symphony fundraiser, chaired by Nikki Beneke and Joanie Stephens. Nancy Labadie was 2023-2024 president. The Gold Award of Excellence recognizes best-in-class programs or initiatives that have made a significant impact on their orchestras. 

“We’re honored and thrilled to be named a Gold Award of Excellence recipient,” Dixey said. 

“Our Savor the Symphony is an important fundraiser that brings together supporters in a lovely setting celebrating everything food and wine, plus offering guests an overview of the League and our commitment to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.”

Nikki said: “We are so excited to receive the LAO Gold Award of Excellence. In 2024, we reimagined Savor the Symphony with new branding and a new program and reached a larger corporate and individual donor audience. Updating the event allowed us to incorporate the Magic of Music through our incredible magician and illusionist and performances by alumni involved in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s education and outreach programs. The performances showcased how music changes lives for children in our community. Savor the Symphony is a unique event that focuses on a first-class evening where patrons enjoy gourmet offerings paired with lovely wines, a live and silent auction, and featured performances.”

Proceeds from the event benefit the Dallas Symphony Association and its education and outreach programs including:

• Young Strings, Kim Noltemy Young Musicians and the Cecil and Ida Green Youth Concert Series impact over 20,000 students and are vital as they open doors to a brighter future and more opportunities.

• MyDSO Concerts are specially designed for children and adults on the autism spectrum and with developmental disabilities, and their families, friends and caregivers. 

Dallas Symphony Orchestra League’s (DSOL’s) mission is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Community Outreach and Education Programs opening doors to a brighter future for the children in our community. The DSOL has raised more than $22 million to support these programs. 

Learn more by visiting dallassymphonyleague.com/Savor-the-Symphony.