AROUND TOWN: Symphonic Guild's popular Bavarian Christmas dinner

“Fröhliche Weihnachten” was the holiday wish for the evening, and the sold-out crowd of 150 at the Edelweiss celebrated at the Symphonic Guild’s annual Bavarian Christmas Dinner.

The rooms of music lovers feasted on Wiener schnitzel, rouladen, sauerbraten, pasta primavera and Black Forest Cherry Torte, and took home loaves of holiday stollen. It was all a benefit for the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.

A room filled with silent auction items had a decidedly musical flavor, from private lessons by Philharmonic and Conservatory musicians to a coveted classical music quilt made by Sharon Kerr and a large art mosaic of the Maestro, Josep Caballé-Domenech.

Philharmonic CEO Nathan Newbrough turned auctioneer for dinners with Caballé-Domenech provided by Nora Courier and vacation weeks offered by Anne Young in Hawaii and Park City, Utah. Paddles were raised to provide sheet music and lights for the Philharmonic music stands.

The Symphonic Guild was founded in 1954 during the days of the Colorado Springs Symphony and now fundraises for the CS Philharmonic and awards scholarships to the winners of the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony’s annual Young Solo Artists Competition.

Marie Newbrough was event chair, supported by board president Mary Ellis and board members Gloria Wendt, Cherith Marchase, Stephanie Ewing, Carole Harper, Allan Wendt, Mary Weiger, Nora Durham, Robin Gates, Katherine George, Kathryn Landry, Pamela Street and Sherry Toepfer.