Albany Symphony Orchestra prepares for ‘A Night at the Oscars’ gala

ALBANY — While many arts-related organizations use fundraisers to finance their ongoing or approaching seasons, the Albany Symphony Orchestra is hosting its inaugural Gala “A Night at the Oscars” at the Merry Acres Inn and Event Center Sept. 20 to support the next generation of area musicians.

The fundraiser, which serves as the unofficial kickoff of the orchestra’s 2025-26 season, will include performances by a harpist, a string quartet, a brass ensemble, and an oboe duo, all featuring artists who perform with the orchestra. Selections will include music from or inspired by Oscar-nominated movie soundtracks.

The evening also includes a silent auction, a cocktail hour, and a fine dining experience, all in support of ASO’s Educational Outreach Program.

“The orchestra has hosted cocktail events in the pash to raise funds and help kick off the season, but we wanted this year’s kickoff event to be a gala, with music, fine dining prepared by Southern Elegance and the opportunity for supporters to help assure the future of the orchestra,” Symphony Board Member and Event Chair Staci Willson said.

“We are planning an engaging event that will be about the orchestra, about the musicians.”

Musical selections by each group will be appropriate for the occasion, ASO Music Director/Conductor Claire Fox Hilliard said.

“The string quartet will be featured during the dinner, the brass group will perform selections from ‘A Night at the Oscars’ — which will be one of our featured events this season — the harpist will perform during the auction, and the wind ensemble will play during cocktail hour,” Hilliard said. “We want to focus on our musicians this year, and we thought this would be an excellent way to do that.”

The Symphony’s Gala Host Committee includes Bo and Bonny Dorough, Victor and Katie Sullivan, Blake and Kati Cook, Paul and Julie Joiner, Dr. Joe and Annabelle Stubbs, Dr. Jason Langer and Meg Gentile.

Featured musicians include:

String quartet:

Kristin Pfeifer Yu, violin: Violin professor at Valdosta State University

Cathering Yara, violin:  Freelance violinist, violin teacher in Valdosta

Laurel Yu, viola: Viola professor at Valdosta State University, acting head of music department

Kathryn Troy: Artist in Residence at Valdosta State University

Harpist:

Sara Burden: Graduate student at Columbus State University

Oboe Duo:

Sherwood “Wil” Wise: Professor of woodwinds at Valdosta State University

Gabriel Grant, Oboist with several orchestras
Tickets are available at Upcoming Fundraisers | Albany Symphony Orchestra.