There are few characters in cinema more iconic than the illustrious James Bond, and much credit for the longevity of the Bond franchise rightly belongs to the composers who crafted film scores that have earned recognition at the Academy Awards, Grammys, and on the Billboard charts. It is the popularity and acclaim for the films’ music that made the Bond theme a spectacular choice for the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras’ 70th-anniversary celebration. Aptly named the “0070th,” this year’s black-tie event broke records, raising more than $365,000 to further the organization’s music programs.
CYSO Debut Orchestra Conductor Dana Green, Heather Green, Cate Mascari, and Concert Orchestra Conductor Michael Mascari
Amanda Salchow and Rachel Barton Pine | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Gala co-chair Rachel Lang and Brooke Hubbuch | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Jan-Peter and Jessica Breugelmans | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Mark Osorio, Keith Smith, Alma Ruiz, Bruce Ottley, Allen Tinkham, Younghee Jin Ottley, Mike Burns, Christopher, and Alison Tirres | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Note of Excellence award recipient Jennifer Myerberg poses with Steel Orchestras students and staff | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Preparatory Strings students greet guests on the Four Season’s Grand Staircase | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Preparatory Strings students perform for guests as they ascend the Four Seasons’ Grand Staircase | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Preparatory Strings students perform for guests on the Four Season’s Grant Staircase
On Saturday, February 11, lining the Grand Staircase of the Four Seasons in Chicago, CYSO Preparatory Strings students filled a cocktail hour with familiar medleys from the spy films. As the guests dined on hors d’ oeuvres and bid in the mini-live auction, we also enjoyed a serenade by the older students of the CYSO Steel Orchestra. And at 7:00 PM the Grand Ballroom boomed with the rich sounds of CYSO’s 120-member Symphony Orchestra playing the James Bond theme. I think at that moment I could have been a Bond girl.
Symphony Orchestra students prepare to perform | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Symphony Orchestra Violinist Sarah Uy | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Rachel Barton Pine performs at CYSO’s 70th Anniversary Celebration | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Music Director and Gala co-chair Allen Tinkham conducts CYSO’s Symphony Orchestra | Photo by Elliot Mande
CYSO Board Chair Henry Turner addresses the crowd | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Globally-renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine joined the symphony orchestra to perform some Bond favorites. Playing the electric violin, her finale received a standing ovation from the audience. For her work with the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation, she was also recognized with a Note of Excellence Award, along with Jennifer Myerberg, a supporter of the steel orchestras program.
Pam and Dave Conroy, Rachel Lang, and Allen Tinkham co-chaired the event, and Richard Roeper served as emcee. Proceeds from the gala will fund music education programs for more than 2,500 students.
Gala co-chairs Rachel Lang and Allen Tinkham present the Note of Excellence award to Jennifer Myerberg | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Incoming CYSO Executive Director Susan Lape | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Emcee Richard Roeper and Nina Laski | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Gala co-chairs Pam and Dave presents the Note of Excellence Award to Rachel Barton Pine | Photo by Elliot Mandel
CYSO Composer-in-Residence Glenn Kotche, Music Director and Gala Co-Chair Allen Tinkham and incoming Executive Director Susan Lape
CYSO Board Chair HenryTurner, William Harris Lee, and Rachel Barton Pine | Photo by Elliot Mandel
CYSO Board member Saurab Bhargava and Anjani Bhargava | Photo by Elliot Mandel
CYSO Board Members Younghee Jin Ottley (left) and Angela O’Banion (right) with Director of Finance Martha Nolin (center) | Photo by Elliot Mandel
Over the past 25 years I have taken on the roles of a producer, publisher, insider journalist and fundraiser. My artistic interests began early in my teens working as a model and a dancer throughout the U.S. I formed my first modeling agency before I was twenty. While modeling I secured a re-occurring role in the popular daytime TV series General Hospital. Read more...
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