LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Saratoga Orchestra gala was most successful ever

Published 3:05 pm Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Editor,

On behalf of Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island, we extend a warm “thank you” to the supporters of our recent fundraising gala, Soirée de Printemps — A Taste of the French Quarter, held on April 9 at Freeland Hall.

We are pleased to report that this year’s gala was our most successful to date and our dollar-for-dollar challenge from Island Thrift was more than matched. Funds raised during the evening will allow us to expand the number of concerts and outreach events in all island neighborhoods, continue underwriting complimentary student admissions, and bring quality music to our island community. And soon we will announce a new outreach program that will enhance the music enrichment for the next generation of musicians and concertgoers.

As we know, fundraising events do not magically happen. A special thank you to emcee David Ossman, Chef Gordon Stewart, auctioneers Dale and Liz Sherman, Tobey Nelson of Vases Wild, Paul McClintock, Judith Dankanics, Gina Simpson, Bill Halstead, and the many hard-working volunteers, auction donors, and Saratoga’s board of directors who all created a bit of New Orleans on the shores of Holmes Harbor for an evening. As we wrap up our 2015-2016 Season next month, special recognition goes to our season sponsors: Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle, Puget Sound Energy, Whidbey Weekly, Island Thrift; and our concert sponsors: Janet Burchfield of Front Street Realty and the Coupeville Festival Association. And, finally, we give our deep gratitude to the Whidbey Island community for allowing us to express our art in a wonderful and supportive environment.

We invite you to join us at our final concerts of the season on May 21 in Coupeville and May 22 in Langley. “A Celtic Celebration” will feature the dynamic “rising-star” trio, The Gothard Sisters, in a program highlighting their dizzying array of singing, instrumental, and dancing talents.

Larry Heidel

Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island

Executive Director