The Choral Arts Society of Washington last Monday evening partnered with the Italian Embassy to host the society’s 33rd annual Holiday Gala — a fundraising event whose proceeds are donated to the Society’s artistic and programming community initiatives.
The event, held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, featured a holiday concert, black-tie reception, dinner, silent auction, and drew a crowd of more than 500 people and raised over $550,000.
Last year’s event raised $625,000, bringing the Society’s fundraising total to over $6 million over the past two decades.
Choral Arts Board Member Olwen Thorpe Pongrace chaired the Gala, which this year celebrated the Year of Italian Culture in the U.S.
Tickets for the choral concert featuring Yuletide classics performances by the Choral Arts Chorus and the Children’s Chorus of Washington (CCW) went on sale to the public in September. CCW will also perform at the Kennedy Center December 21st and 24th.
Founded in 1996 by Joan Gregoryk, the CCW performs with leading D.C. music organizations, provides musical training to children, and touts a host of open access programs which are designed to instruct first-time singers and assist under-resourced D.C. community students.
The ambassador of Italy and Mrs. Claudio Bisogniero served as Honorary Patrons for the gala and concert. The two hosted also special reception in anticipation of the concert and gala at their residence in early December. Find out more about the evening at their Villa Firenze residence by reading our coverage of the event here.
To read about Robert Liberatore and George Wilson’s respective pre-gala receptions heralding the event click here and here.
