Page 21 - Southern Exposure - December '23

Southern Exposure, Page 21

Section B

symphony news

Palm Beach Symphony Kicks Off

Golden Anniversary Season

Nearly 175 Palm Beach Symphony members, sponsors and
invited guests celebrated the kickoff of the Symphony’s 50th
Anniversary Season in a Members Only cocktail reception
on Nov. 13 that glittered in a way befitting the name “Golden
Anniversary” at Club Colette.
“Thank you for joining us this evening as we launch our
50th Anniversary Season, made possible by the support of our
patrons, donors and sponsors,” said Palm Beach Symphony
Board Chair James R. Borynack. “On behalf of the Board
of Directors, thank you for your dedication to the arts that
enables us to make a lasting impact on our cultural landscape
and in the community.”
Guests at the event, graciously underwritten by PNC Private
Bank, received an insider view of the season that will feature Kelly Wathen, David
four world premieres commissioned for the occasion composed McClymont Lois Pope, Bill Porter Ann and Charles Johnson Philo and Ronald Rosenfeld
by Maestro Gerard Schwarz, Pulitzer Prize winners Ellen Taaffe
Zwilich and Aaron Jay Kernis, and MacArthur Fellowship The 50th Anniversary Season features six concerts at through our numerous outreach programs,” said Cochair
recipient Bright Sheng. the Kravis Center in which Maestro Schwarz will be joined Tom Harvey.
“While we celebrate our history this season, we remain by pianists Yefim Bronfman, Vladimir Feltsman, Emanuel Those attending included: Richard Allen, Christine and
focused on the future and our responsibility as a major Ax and Ignat Solzhenitsyn and violinists Akiko Suwanai Max Ansbacher, Mara and Arthur Benjamin, Barbara and
orchestra,” said Board Member Cathie Black who cochairs and Pinchas Zukerman. Hans Bergstrom, Joanne Berkow, Kathy Lee Bickham,
the Palm Beach Symphony’s 50th Anniversary and Gala “The symphony is bringing the greatest artists from Edith Bjork, Cathie Black, Thomas Boland, James
with Tom Harvey. “We want to recognize and thank Paul the world’s best concert halls to Palm Beach this season, R. Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui, Camille Branca,
du Quenoy, Ambassador Bonnie McElveen-Hunter and but it is also continuing to nurture the next generation of Sheryne and Richard Brekus, Nancy Brown and Leonardo
Don and Mary Thompson for helping us commission these artists and foster a love for music here in Palm Beach as
important new works.” we engage with local schools and community partners Symphony News on page 22

Commissioner’s Update

Honoring And Supporting Our Veterans

By Commissioner Maria Marino

Each November, we members of the Armed Forces to apply for benefits, employment, mobility and a representative of the Veterans
observe Veterans Day to including housing, disability compensation, education, Administration Medical Center. The Veteran Services
honor Americans who employment, financial assistance, health care, and other Advisory Board will report to the commission on needs
have served in the U.S. resources. The county works with the U.S. Department and gaps in services. Through their input and guidance,
Armed Forces. As fellow of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and the county will take steps to seek additional resources
citizens, we must remember Urban Development through the Rapid Rehousing and and help maximize assistance to veterans.
to express our gratitude to Supportive Housing programs, but the need remains for The emergency helpline for veterans in Palm Beach
veterans, who have been additional affordable housing and support services. County is 2-1-1. The following link will take you to a
willing to step in harm’s The County Department of Housing and Economic comprehensive list of telephone numbers for veterans
way to protect us, and the Development makes state and federal financing available to seeking assistance, https://bit.ly/guideforveterans.
freedoms we hold dear. private and nonprofit developers who construct affordable If you know a veteran who is struggling, please share
November also has become housing with preference for veterans. Additionally, the this information with them or have them contact me at
the month during which we observe National Hunger and County Commission has urged our federal legislative (561) 355-2201 and I will connect them with service
Homeless Awareness Week. delegation to prioritize housing, financial and credit providers who can help.
Sadly, veteran homelessness spans age groups from counseling programs for veterans.
those who served in the Korean War and Vietnam era to Earlier this year, the commission established
the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. There are currently a Veteran Services Advisory Board to assess
more than 67,000 homeless veterans in the United States, the needs of veterans in the county and to
and roughly 2,500 homeless veterans in Florida. Service help facilitate coordination between agencies
men and women returning home, many with disabilities, and organizations whose mission is to assist
mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder, struggle veterans and their families. The members of
transitioning back into civilian life. the advisory board are veterans and others
Palm Beach County Veterans Services, (561) experienced in the areas of mental health and
355-4761, assists and counsels former and current substance abuse, financial assistance, housing,