This year’s benefit Gala for the acclaimed National Repertory Orchestra titled “Carnaval Night in Rio” was held June 25 at the Sheraton Downtown Hotel with nearly 300 music-loving guests in attendance.
NRO Guests enjoy the Carnaval in Rio event held Saturday, June 25 at the Sheraton Downtown Denver
In recognition of the 2016 Olympics to be hosted in August in Rio de Janeiro, the dining and reception area featured a tropical theme executed by John Tobey Design and provided a colorful neon pastel spectrum of lights with palm trees and Rio’s legendary beachfront. Dancing entertainment was provided by Samba Colorado featuring Kebrina DeJesus and Jontae Piper.
Based in Breckenridge, Colorado, the National Repertory Orchestra (NRO) is an intensive fellowship that attracts the best of the best from leading conservatories and music schools. Among this year’s sponsors are: MDC – Richmond American Foundation, Breckenridge Grand Vacations, Climax Molybdenum, First Western Trust.
Carnaval Event Chair Wendy King and Julie Chandler, NRO Director of Marketing and Development, were on hand with staff and volunteers as were NRO Music Director Carl Topilow, wife Shirley, and daughter Emily.
Guests enjoyed the silent auction
Welcoming guests were Orchestra CEO Doug Adams and wife, Pam, and several Board Members including President Patrice Lara, Nancy French, Janice Ward Parrish, Pam Wiegand, and Pam Piper Yeung. Also attending were long-time NRO supporters Ernie and Sharon Magness Blake, Bonnie and David Mandarich, Lynn and Lisa Taussig, Karen Frisone, Steve and Carmen Wiest and many others.
Every year the NRO provides an opportunity for bright, young musicians to perfect their craft. Auditions are held for nearly 1,000 musicians between the ages of 18 and 29 in about 25 different cities across the country to fill the 88 tuition-free spots of the orchestra. Although few of the musicians have met or played together previously they quickly adapt and learn to play together in outstanding synchronicity as an orchestra.
During the eight-week season, NRO musicians perform more than two dozen concerts which is about the same as a full-time orchestra performs in a nine-month season. To review the this year’s season, purchase tickets, volunteer or to get more information visit the NRO web site at www.nromusic.com
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- This year’s National Repertory Orchestra Gala was held at the Sheraton Downtown Denver
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- Rylie Harrod, Sophie Verhaeghe, Marisa Ishikawa, Audrey Lee
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- Samba Colorado: Kebrina DeJesus, Jontae Piper
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- Pam Wiegand, Carl Topilow
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- Carl, Emily and Shirley Topilow; Cecile Forsberg, Bailey Salinero
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- Christopher Carson, Barbara and Sam McCleneghan
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- Tom and Nancy French, Janice Ward Parrish, Norm Crawford
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- Joann Kloiber, Mauricio Meneses
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- Pam and Doug Adams
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- Avomi Park, Paula Su, Jill Valentine, Yu Zhang
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- Carmen and Steve Wiest
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- Jennifer Bird, Danielle Liagre
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- Tara Sieber, Kathleen Clabby, Alexandra Rodriguez
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- Nearly 300 attended the NRO Gala
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- Peggy Smith and mom, Annette Fricke
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- Nozomi Imamura, Victoria Chund, Stephanie Pak, Daniel Lim, Josh Huang, Hannah Cartwright
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- Pat Reel, Cynthia Watson
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- Masks were option for the Carnaval in Rio event
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- Darrin Blume, Nathaniel Davis, Diana Hernandez
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- Nathaniel Davis, Rebecca Gu
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- Bailey Salinero, Achia Floyd
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- The Carnaval in Rio provided a colorful and exciting theme this year
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- Miguel and Patricia Hammarat
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- Jim and Rebecca Spearot
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- The live band played classic Brazilian musical tunes
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- Willow Nisker, Bill Adams
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- Jake Schucker, Katie Sturges
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- Roger and Louise Crosby
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- Reggie Gray, Connie Stafford
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- Justic Richards, Board Chair Patrice Lara, Event Chair Wendy King, Annie Richardson
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- John Landon, Pam Piper, Kai Yeung, Kathy Landon
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- Event Chair Wendy King, Music Director Carl Topilow, John Tobey, CBS4 Ed Greene
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- Several live auction items featured travel getaway vacations
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- This year’s event was held at the Sheraton Downtown Denver
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- David and Bonnie Mandarich, Pam and Doug Adams
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- Carnavale dancers lead dinner guests to their seats
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- Guests joined in the samba spirit
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- The NRO features 88 young musicians from around the world
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- Auction items attracted bids
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- The National Repertory Orchestra motto: “Changing Lives Through Music”
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- Alan and Maureen Evans, Pat and Rebecca DePoole
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- Brian Griese and Carl Topilow
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- NRO Communications Manager Julie Chandler and Karen Frisone
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- NRO Staff & Guests enjoyed the party
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- John Tobey Event Design installed a tropical setting of Rio de Janiero
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- Ernie and Sharon Magness Blake are long-time supporters of the NRO
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- CBS4 anchor Ed Greene set the stage for the tropical event
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- NRO CEO Doug Adams thanked guests and donors
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- Carnaval Event Chair Wendy King welcomed guests to the event
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- Carnaval Event Chair Wendy King thanked donors and guests
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- Master of Ceremonies Ed Greene described the NRO history and mission
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- Lynne and Lisa Taussig, Gerald Henderson
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- Young Musicians await their entry before their performance
