The Hartford Symphony Orchestra held its annual black tie Swing Into Spring ball on Friday, May 2 at the Bond Ballroom as part of its Duke Ellington Weekend. The weekend is designed to broaden and diversify the symphony's audiences and supporters through the musical legacy of the American composer, pianist, and bandleader. Proceeds from Swing Into Spring benefited
Musical Pathways, the symphony's education program. Musical Pathways' educational activities annually serve more than 64,000 people in Hartford and surrounding communities. From the Hoffman Discovery Concerts to the Symphony in the Schools in-school program, to the award-winning Musical Dialogues program, the symphony continuously strives to engage people in a
love of classical music.

The evening also served as an introduction by Music Director Edward Cumming of newly appointed Hartford Symphony Executive Director Kristen Phillips. Following her introduction, for which she received a rousing standing ovation, a
performance by the chorus from the Annie Fisher School in Hartford brought smiles to the intimate gathering. Bigger isn't always better as was proven when a slightly smaller-than-expected turnout accomplished the symphony's goal of
bringing much needed attention and funds to the Musical Pathways program. Director of Education Emery Tapley spent much of the night singing the program's attributes to Social Studies during the exquisitely prepared dinner. The menu included filet mignon with béarnaise sauce and salmon with citrus beurre blanc, expertly executed by Ann Howard's dedicated
staff.

Throughout dinner guests were encouraged to bid on a bevy of auction items, including a raffle for a charming Tiffany & Co. diamond pendent. Guests who purchased a blue Tiffany bag were surprised to find yummy Munson's chocolates inside, with one bag providing the buyer with the $2500 pendant. However no one was more surprised than Karen Wheat, whose husband John's was the winning bid for two tickets to the opening night of the Hartford Symphony on September 24. What really put a smile on the socialite's face was the knowledge that the tickets included dinner and a post-concert reception with Joshua Bell. She took the knowledge in stride, proclaiming, "Well, that's one more thing to put on my calendar: dinner with Joshua Bell."

By Krystian von Speidel

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