Shelby's Social Diary
$350,000 for one hour: A beautiful friendship brings the University of St. Thomas musical love
The University of St. Thomas Performing Arts Center received a cultural and financial boost Tuesday night with the "New Vision, New Stars" benefit concert at Jones Hall. Guest conductor Andrey Boreyko, the dashing music director of the National Orchestra of Belgium, conducted the Houston Symphony in a one-hour concert that raised $350,000 for the forthcoming center on the UST campus.
With the notes of Stravinsky, Mussorgsky and Ravel dancing in their heads supporters celebrated the evening with a post-performance concert reception where the evening's honoree, Beth Madison, took bows.
The fundraiser was chaired by Jes and John Hagale, she a recent graduate of the UST Master of Liberal Arts program. Headliners included UST president Robert Ivany and Houston Symphony CEO Mark Hanson.
Applauding the musical soirée were Marianne Ivany, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Daniel, Trini Mendenhall-Sosa and Frank Sosa, C.C. Conner, Ginger and John Niemann, Barbara Van Postman, Denise Bush Bahr and Philip Bahr, Camille and Jim Tichenor and Nancy and Bob Peiser.