By Devynn Barnes
In November 1975, Carmel residents went to the polls to elect their first mayor and town council after passing a referendum to become a Fourth Class City. In January 1976, the newly elected officials took office. That same year, Carmel resident Viktors Ziedonis, a Latvian immigrant, established the Carmel Symphony Orchestra. In December 1976, fifteen volunteer musicians played the first Carmel Symphony Orchestra concert. For many years, the CSO performed at Carmel High School. Both the city and the Symphony have come a long way in the last 40 years and now the Orchestra features 80+ musicians and performs at the stunning Palladium.
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra League will hold its annual spring luncheon at the Ritz Charles on April 14. Engledow, a major sponsor of the event, will transform the Ritz Charles into a magnificent indoor garden. The event will run from 11 am to 2 p.m. and will kick off with a wine tasting, provided by Mallow Run Winery, with the accompaniment of the Dolce Musical Trio. The Luncheon will be served around noon and following it, the renowned musical group, Hopkins and Miller will perform.
The Carmel Symphony Orchestra League will be holding a raffle during the event. Items to be raffled off include two trees, each with around $700 in gift cards hanging from the branches, elegant gift baskets, and a high end piece of jewelry from Moyer Fine Jewelers. Other jewelry will be displayed for purchase.
Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the educational activities of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, including The Young Artists Competition which gives talented young musicians the opportunity to perform and compete. Proceeds also go to the Carmel Symphony Orchestra’s annual Family Fun! concert. This concert allows children of all ages to sit on stage with the orchestra and features an instrument “petting zoo” after the show.
Mary Eckard of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra League is chair of the 40th Anniversary Luncheon.
“This event is not exclusively for members,” she said.
She said she invites “all of the community to attend.”
This is the largest fundraiser the Orchestra holds each year and they are expecting at least 400 people to attend. The people behind this event are getting more and more excited as the date approaches.
“This year will be very special and includes a number of surprises,” Eckard said.
Carmel Symphony Orchestra League 40th Anniversary Luncheon
April 14, 2015, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ritz Charles, 12156 North Meridian Street, Carmel.
Tickets are $55. Reservations are due by April 1, 2015.
To RSVP call Tricia Damler 848-1552.