Without a doubt, the Colorado Symphony fittingly orchestrated an incredible evening for this year’s “Symphony in the City” gala. The fundraiser began with an animated welcome reception filled with guests attired in festive formal wear, some with overtones of last week’s Met Gala in New York City.
Richard Krugman, M.D., longtime board member who also served as co-president, with Dr. Paula Bernstein, recipient of this year’s Margaret Phipps Award
On Saturday, May 9, at the Seawell Ballroom in the symphony’s home-base Denver Performing Arts Complex, the reception and silent auction area was only the first stop of a musical ride of intentional activities as organizers embraced the symphony’s “Music that Moves You” slogan. After a short fanfare performed by a brass quintet that served as a call to dinner, 500 guests made their way up the escalator to find their tables for the plated meal and accompanying program emceed by J.J. Raterink. Dr. Paula Bernstein was honored with this year’s Margaret Phipps Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions and service to the Colorado Symphony and the arts community. At dinner’s end, the guests made the short walk to Boettcher Concert Hall for an amazing concert combining the talents of award-winning Jon Batiste and the Colorado Symphony, featuring resident conductor Christopher Dragon and concertmaster Yumi Hwang-Williams. Guests returned to Seawell Ballroom to end the evening on a high note at a celebratory after party.
(l to r): Bernadette Bott, with sponsors Cindy and Federico Pena, former mayor of Denver
The Colorado Symphony writes: “Funds raised during our Symphony in the City Gala will directly support the Colorado Symphony’s mission to inspire and unite humanity through live music. Through groundbreaking collaborations, world-class performances and dynamic community engagement, we bring music to life for more than a quarter of a million Coloradans each year—nurturing connection, creativity and the next generation of music lovers.
One of the leading orchestras in the United States, the Colorado Symphony Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization performing more than 150 concerts annually at Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver and across Colorado. Led by Peter Oundjian as its Music Director as of the 2025-26 season, the Colorado Symphony is home to 80 full-time musicians representing more than a dozen nations and regularly welcomes the world’s most celebrated artists from across musical genres.”
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- Coreen Miller, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer (second from right) and family
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- President & CEO Daniel Wachter (third from right) and family members
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- (l to r): Sara Samuel, committee member Ryan Sanders, Liz Bent, Miguel Salinas, Lex McClanahan
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- (l to r): Ryan and Macyn Trujillo, sponsors Karen and Chris Festog
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- Former board co-president Richard Krughman, M.D., with committee chair and current board vice chair Marta O’Grady
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- The registration table stayed busy throughout the reception.
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- Guests begin to fill the space at the welcome reception.
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- Bidding on a covet Colorado Avalanche hockey stick signed by members of this year’s playoff team.
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- Patti and Dr. Gerald Brown
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- Tarah Lee, William Blake
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- Katherine Beeson (left) and Jessica Elson
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- (l to r): Alex Thomas, Kathleen Johnson, Steve Vierling, Chris Cole
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- (l to r): Mike Miller, Key and Marianne Irwin, Alysa Tighe, Jamie and Terrence Groth
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- (l to r): Jaclyn Lim, committee member James Tsui, Brian and Lisa Steers
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- (l to r): Visual artist Topher Straus, Michelle Gianesses, Katrina Eiffert, Troy Vallier
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- Artist David Pyle, with his silent auction creation “Radio City Music Hall 2026”
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- Alia and Ted Canberra
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- (l to r): Robyn Julyan, concertmaster Yumi Hwang-Williams, Summer Rhodes
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- John Allen and son enjoying the welcome reception
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- Frieda and Rick Bernheim
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- (l to r): Matt Reilly, Jen Derse, Denise and Scott Hasday, Ken and Marla Huttner
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- (l to r): Ashley Afghani, dance icon Cleo Parker Robinson, Colorado Ballet’s executive director Sameed Afghani
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- This brass quintet virtually rang the dinner bell for reception guests with a musical fanfare.
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- Shannon (left), with Aria Dragon
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- Tables are set for 500 as guests begin to arrive for dinner.
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- Richard Krugman, M.D., longtime board member who also served as co-president, with Dr. Paula Bernstein, recipient of this year’s Margaret Phipps Award
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- (l to r): Bernadette Bott, with sponsors Cindy and Federico Pena, former mayor of Denver
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- Mary Beazley and board chair John Street
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- Around 500 guests settle in for dinner in the Seawell Ballroom.
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- Emcee J.J. Raterink
