The Spring Rhapsody Gala was like icing on the cake of the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s triumphal 50th anniversary season.

Held May 18 at a private club near Ligonier, the black-tie gala came a week after the symphony’s season-ending concert, featuring the blockbuster movie music of composer John Williams and conducted by artistic director Daniel Meyer.

Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before sitting down to dinner. Music was courtesy of the Eric Barchiesi Trio, with Barchiesi on piano, Dan Lauritzen on bass and the symphony’s own board president and principal percussionist, Michael Matteo, on drums.

Live auction items were as luxe as the surroundings, offering one-of-a-kind winnings like a South African photo safari for two; a week in a luxury condo at Riviera Maya, Mexico; a week in the Hamptons, New York; and a diamond necklace.

Honorary event chairs were Margot and Ross Perot. Auction co-chairpersons were William Z. Friedlander and Jody Friedlander Keating.

Dr. George and Linda Austin hosted. WSO special events chair is Linda Assard.

Gala committee members included Jeanne Adams, Janie Belden, Linda Blum, Sheila Caramella, Jim Cook, Olive Conte, Karen Rich-Douglas, Christel Horner, Nancy B. Jamison, Phyllis Kluska, Karen Kohut, Tommie Korneke, Jo Ann Lightcap, Barry Numerick, June Penta, Michael Philopena, Ellen Piper, George Shaner, Kathy Sabota, Patricia Smiy, Jan Taylor-Condo, Rebecca Thorne, Kaaren Tintori, Ron Zera and WSO Executive Director Endy Reindl.

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