For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Halim Habiby
415-545-TUNE
hhabiby@pacificmusical.com

PACIFIC MUSICAL SOCIETY HOSTS ITS 102ND ANNUAL WINTER GALA

Evening honors composer Jake Heggie in new location at St. Francis Hotel, Raises Funds for Budding Musicians

December 2, 2012
Imperial Floor, St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco
Photos and other information at www.pacificmusical.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA.—October 10, 2012—The Pacific Musical Society, one of San Francisco’s oldest organizations committed to supporting the advancement of young musicians, is pleased to present its 102nd Annual Winter Gala, December 2, 2012.

The gala honors world-renowned American composer Jake Heggie, whose opera Moby Dick has received rave reviews since its 2010 debut in Dallas and which arrived at San Francisco’s War Memorial stage on October 10. The evening’s performances feature performances from Mr. Heggie as well as young, award-winning talent from around the Bay Area, and is proud to announce that Frederica von Stade and Nicole Foland will be joining Mr. Heggie on stage as well. The event will be held at an exciting new location--the Imperial Floor of the Westin St. Francis Hotel overlooking Union Square.

With holiday festivities in the air, an ice rink in Union Square, and a 12-foot sugar castle in the St. Francis lobby, guests of this year's Winter Gala will feel decadent as they ride the glass elevator to the hotel's most scenic Imperial Floor.

The gala will feature a silent auction, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, and a live music program featuring first-place competition winners and Jake Heggie and friends. Music, a benevolent atmosphere, a 360-degree backdrop of nighttime San Francisco--the 2012 Winter Gala will be a definite crowd-pleaser.

Society president Halim Habiby says of the organization's ambitions, "By upholding and encouraging music's young stewards, Pacific Musical Society plays a part in protecting that which binds people together from every language and culture. The Winter Gala is the Society's annual celebration and fundraiser, bringing together friends and supporters to honor great contributors to music in the Bay Area, while providing a signature performance opportunity to several of our competition winners."

All who attend will surely be impressed by the mature sounds emanating from the emerging musicians. How can a third-grader, a high-schooler, a twenty-year-old know how play with such heart-felt dynamics?

Reservations can be made through the Pacific Musical Society website (www.pacificmusical.com), or by calling 415-545-TUNE (8863).

About Pacific Musical Society

Pacific Musical Society’s aim is to encourage the advancement of young musicians by providing scholarships for their music educations. It enables this mission by raising funds through membership dues, donations from foundations and donors, and by holding social events that serve as fundraisers. Other events include the aforementioned Annual Competition and Competition Winners Concert, all open to the public.

For more information, visit Pacific Musical Society's website at www.pacificmusical.com and Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/pacificmusical.

Performers include Jake Heggie, Frederica von Stade, Nicolle Foland, Pacific Musical Society competition winners, including Agata Sorotokin, first place winner, piano; Elena Ariza, first place winner, violin; Julia Metzler, first place winner, vocal, and more.

For more information, photos, and reservations, visit www.pacificmusical.com.