A decade of musical excellence

Chaired by Brian and Mila Mulroney, co-chaired by Gérard Charlebois and hosted by Ben Mulroney, the event will feature the vocal talents of baritone Russell Braun

The evening is a benefit for the development of the WYO’s programs. Festivities will start at 5 p.m. with a cocktail reception, followed by a silent auction of pieces by renowned Canadian artists such as Joe Fafard, Michael Smith and Lorraine Simms, as well as jewelry and gifts.

At 7 p.m., the WYO will perform a concert of operatic excerpts featuring noted baritone Russell Braun and soprano Tracy Smith Bessette, under the baton of artistic director and conductor Scott Gabriel.

“This is the first time we’ve done anything of this scale, and anything of this type either,” Gabriel said of the gala event. “It’s very much for fundraising, for building up community involvement with the orchestra.”

Proceeds from the gala will assist the orchestra in organizing more tours similar to last summer’s memorable trip to Europe.

“We’ll be hoping to go organize another tour for 2010” said Gabriel “A lot of time is put in by parent volunteers and myself. Three years should be enough time to get everything together.”

The WYO includes two string ensembles — junior and intermediate — as well as the senior symphony orchestra, together comprising about 100 young musicians from every corner of Greater Montreal. All have been practicing for the past several weeks in anticipation of Sunday's event.

“[The European tour] was a big undertaking and generated a lot of enthusiasm that has carried through into this year,” said Gabriel. “Basically, what’s made this year big for us is the gala coming up.”

Advance reservations are required for this special anniversary event. Ticket purchase forms can be downloaded from www.ojw.ca or obtained by calling Christine at 450-973-1652. If available, tickets for the concert will be sold at the door. Prices are $75 for two adult concert tickets (sold by the pair only) and $20 per student ticket. Tickets for the entire event — cocktail, auction and concert — are $150 each.