Night Music

Much like the Phantom of the Opera, masked music lovers will soon emerge to revel in the music of the night. 

“Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor,” sings the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical. “Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender. Turn your face away from the garish light of day. Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light. And listen to the music of the night.” 

Instead of seeking vengeance, however, these costumed revelers will be supporting local music education and community engagement. 

The OKC Philharmonic’s Maestro’s Ball returns with the theme “Vive la Phil!” Created by the Oklahoma City Orchestra League, the annual fundraising event is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm Friday, October 17 at Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club (7000 NW Grand Blvd. In Nichols Hills). The evening’s events will begin with a cocktail hour followed by dinner. Tickets are $300 for individuals and $3,500 for a table of 10. 

In a press release for the event, Oklahoma City Orchestra League president Rachael Geiger said the fundraiser is a festive fête with a lasting impact. 

“Maestro’s Ball is always a shimmering celebration of music, community, and purpose – and this year’s Vive Le Phil theme brings a fresh sense of elegance and excitement. It’s a night where glamour meets generosity, and together we ensure the joy of music education continues to inspire the next generation,” Geiger, who serves as this year’s event chair said. 

According to press materials, last year’s ball raised more that $230,000. Proceeds from the event provide funding for the Philharmonic’s music education programs. The We’ve Got Rhythm program introduces third grade students to the orchestra through interactive instruction and concerts and provides educators with digital resources and professional development. The Youth Concerts program invites third-through-fifth-grade students to the Civic Center Music Hall for 45-minute concerts during the school day. Rhythm on the Road and other statewide access programs provide music education beyond OKC. To enroll in the Philharmonic’s Educator’s Club and receive more information on programs and registration dates, visit okcphil.org/educators-club. 

Established in 2017, the Maestro’s Circle honors longtime supporters, and this year’s inductees are Patrick Alexander, who served as marketing director and executive director for the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra and Linda Alexander, who served as the organization’s legal counsel. Both are listed as presenting sponsors for the event, along with Glenna and Richard Tanenbaum. 

Guests at the ball are encouraged to wear formal attire infused with “bold creativity, color, and imaginative flair” and expect “a whimsical world where classical elegance meets pop baroque fantasy” with “an evening of performances, immersive artistry, and playful grandeur, all in support of orchestral music and its impact on the next generation of music lovers.” 

As the ensemble sing’s in Weber’s Phantom: “Masquerade! Paper faces on parade … Grinning yellows, spinning reds…Take your fill—let the spectacle astound you! … Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you!” 

Visit okcphil.org/maestrosball.

This article appears in Oklahoma Gazette Online.