By Lisa Perry | May 9, 2026
Symphony In the City at Seawell Ballroom and Boettcher Concert Hall benefiting Colorado Symphony Association
Without a doubt, the Colorado Symphony fittingly orchestrated an incredible evening for this year’s “Symphony in the City” gala. The fundraiser began with an animated welcome reception filled with guests attired in festive formal wear, some with overtones of last week’s Met Gala in New York City.
On Saturday, May 9, at the Seawell Ballroom in the symphony’s home-base Denver Performing Arts Complex, the reception and silent auction area was only the first stop on a musical ride filled with intentional activities as organizers embraced the symphony’s “Music that Moves You” slogan. After a short fanfare performed by a brass quintet that served as a call to dinner, 500 guests made their way up the escalator to find their tables for the plated meal and accompanying program emceed by J.J. Raterink. Dr. Paula Bernstein was honored with this year’s Margaret Phipps Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions and service to the Colorado Symphony and the arts community. At dinner’s end, the guests made the short walk to Boettcher Concert Hall for an amazing concert combining the talents of award-winning Jon Batiste and the Colorado Symphony, featuring resident conductor Christopher Dragon and concertmaster Yumi Hwang-Williams. Guests returned to Seawell Ballroom to end the evening on a high note at a celebratory after party.
The Colorado Symphony writes: “Funds raised during our Symphony in the City Gala will directly support the Colorado Symphony’s mission to inspire and unite humanity through live music. Through groundbreaking collaborations, world-class performances and dynamic community engagement, we bring music to life for more than a quarter of a million Coloradans each year—nurturing connection, creativity and the next generation of music lovers.