“What I hope is that the intensity of this experience will stick with people, that it will inspire all they encounter in life.” Michael Tilson Thomas
The New World Center, which debuted on January 25, 2011, marks the centerpiece jewel of performing arts for Miami Beach. The elegant and dramatic Gehry-designed concert hall is a most suitable home to the spectacular vision of modern performances created under the brilliant direction of its mastermind and highly- awarded conductor and artistic director, Michael Tilson Thomas. In addition to conducting the New World Symphony (NWS) orchestra, and his dedication to helping young artists hone their talent, Tilson Thomas has earned ten Grammy Awards, is the musical director of the San Francisco Symphony, and principal guest conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra.
Some years ago, I had the immense pleasure of listening to Mr. Tilson Thomas play the piano in his studio loft on Lincoln Road- above the former home of the NWS. That evening is one of the highlights of my life, in the close and intimate setting, transported by the music, in the presence of this great man. His vision and talents are simply remarkable. His contributions to the future of classical music are inestimable.
The NWS, now housed in the New World Center, was created by Tilson Thomas in 1987 as an orchestral academy for young musicians. The NWS provides a prestigious and rare opportunity for highly talented young musicians to fast-track their careers. Each year, they provide thirty three-year fellowships to graduates of leading universities and music schools. The orchestra performs approximately seventy concerts a year.
The launching of the new Center last year has more firmly placed Miami Beach on the map as a cultural destination. The range and depth of programs, with the savvy means of appealing to people of all ages and demographics, is the hallmark of a cultural institution that plays the most important role imaginable of creating a future audience for classical music, and other forms of performing arts, for generations to come.
The programming ranges from traditional, to new world, new age, with amazing audio-visual layers that utterly delight the senses. Performances are often accompanied by preview lectures given by visiting guests and by the young and uber-talented musicians alike, rendering the performances more vivid and personal.
Music performed by the NWS comes alive, presenting the audiences classical performances in a modern and memorable format.
Apropos, the First Anniversary Gala will tie its musical presentation to Alfred Hitchcock’s classical films, and aligns with the “real life” timing of the 2012 Academy Awards.
The Black-Tie Gala promises to be filled with surprises and delights, beginning with the NWS signature Blue Carpet arrival greeting the 400 patrons, and the added audio-visual drama of the state of the art 7,000 square foot projection wall on the exterior of the New World Center. A seated dinner will be staged in various locations of the building, which will be transformed for the evening to evoke Hollywood glamour and Film Noir ambiance. Thierry’s Catering will prepare a sumptuous meal and Triton Productions will create enchanting décor, accompanied by musical interludes throughout dinner performed by the talented New World Symphony Fellows. Afterwards, the Gala dinner guests will be joined by another 200 guests, and all patrons will be ready to dance the night away in the ‘40s jazz club tunes of a full Big Band.
Tickets start at $1,250 for the Gala, with a limited number of $150 tickets available to VIP members of Friends of NWS’- the institution’s young patrons group. All proceeds from the Gala will benefit New World Symphony and its mission of preparing gifted young musicians for careers in professional orchestras, while providing meaningful cultural programs to the South Florida community.
New World Symphony presents 2012 Gala: An Evening of Suspense Music and Scenes from Films of Alfred Hitchcock
Friday, February 24, 2012 at the New World Center
To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Iva Kosovic at 305-428-6734 or iva.kosovic@ nws.edu.
