Handel and Haydn Society Hosts Much-Anticipated Annual Gala—
“The Society Ball”
Proceeds from 22nd annual gala benefit support artistic and educational programs;
Society’s Associate Conductor/Chorusmaster John Finney honored;
sponsored by Improper Bostonian and Lux Bond and Green
Handel and Haydn Society hosts “The Society Ball” on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at the Taj Boston Hotel. The much-anticipated annual event this year honors the Society’s Associate Conductor/Chorusmaster John Finney, a well-known conductor, keyboardist, and educator. The evening also features live and silent auctions, dancing to the Bo Winiker Orchestra, fine cuisine created for the event by Taj executive chef Franck Steigerwald, and special musical performances by Society musicians and members of the Society’s Vocal Apprenticeship Program.
Founded in 1815, the Handel and Haydn Society is not only the oldest continuously performing arts organization in the United States, but an internationally renowned leader in historically informed performance of Baroque and Classical repertoire, with a period-instrument orchestra and professional chorus. The Society’s award-winning Educational Outreach Program brings music education and performance opportunities to more than 10,000 Greater-Boston schoolchildren each year. Proceeds from “The Society Ball” benefit Handel and Haydn Society’s artistic and educational programs.
Honoree John Finney enjoys an extremely active career as conductor of several choral and orchestral ensembles in the Boston area. He has been the Handel and Haydn Society’s Chorusmaster since 1990, and was named Associate Conductor in 1992, directing many of the Society’s performances at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall and at Symphony Hall. Mr. Finney is also highly regarded as an organist and harpsichordist. He is Director of Music at the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, and conductor of the Heritage Chorale in Framingham. He holds the title of Distinguished Artist-in-Residence at Boston College, where he is Director of the University Chorale and Conductor of the Boston College Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Finney is also on the faculty of The Boston Conservatory, and taught for six years at the Academy for Early Music in Bressanone, Italy.
Approximately 220–250 people are expected to attend “The Society Ball.” In addition to Mr. Finney, other attendees include celebrated conductor Sir Roger Norrington, the Society’s Artistic Advisor; and event co-chairs Alli Achtmeyer (Boston), Patricia Collins (Framingham), and Deborah First (Weston). The 2008 Gala Committee includes Elizabeth Kincannon (Wayland); Karen Secunda Levy (Wellesley); Elizabeth Gawthrop Riely (Brookline); Deb Sidorowicz (Norwood); Jane Tyler (Brookline); and Kathleen W. Weld (Dover). The live auction will be run by auctioneer Samuel Levitt (Boston).
“The Society Ball” is sponsored by the Improper Bostonian and Lux Bond and Green.
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: “The Society Ball”—Handel and Haydn Society Gala Benefit and Auction
Benefiting Handel and Haydn Society artistic and educational programs; honoring John Finney;
Sponsored by Improper Bostonian; Lux Bond and Green
WHEN: Saturday, April 5, 2008, 6:30 pm
WHERE: Taj Boston Hotel
WHO: Special guest Sir Roger Norrington. Co-chaired by Alli Achtmeyer (Boston), Patricia Collins
(Framingham), Debbie First (Weston)
HOW: Tickets—Leadership Table (for 10): $5,000; Regular Table (for 10): $3,500; Individual seats:
$350 per person. For information and tickets, call Emily Yoder at 617-262-1815.
The Handel and Haydn Society, known for historically informed performance using instruments and techniques available to composers in their day, specializes in works for chorus and orchestra composed in the Baroque and Classical eras. Celebrating its 193rd season, the Society’s artistic team includes Artistic Advisor Sir Roger Norrington, Principal Conductor Grant Llewellyn, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Hogwood. Now in its 23rd year, Handel and Haydn’s award-winning Educational Outreach Program provides elementary and high school students with opportunities to learn about and perform classical music. The Vocal Apprenticeship Program identifies and nurtures young vocal talent among Greater-Boston-area children through its four youth choirs and the High School Soloists Program.
