Crowden 2011 Gala

Guests at Crowden’s 2011 Gala will enjoy a cocktail hour, delectable gourmet dinner, memorable live and silent auctions, and, of course, musical performances.

And after all that, we’ll let down our hair and party in ways you’ve never experienced at a Crowden event!

With glittering waterfront views of San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley, Craneway Pavilion is the ideal location for an evening of “Illuminations.”

Designed by the great architect Albert Kahn in 1931 as a Ford Motor assembly plant, and on the National Register of Historic Places, the elegantly industrial building was renovated in 2004 by the very same team now creating the Jacqueline and Peter Hoefer Auditorium at Crowden: Donn Logan and Marcy Wong Architects and Meyer Sound.

The results and location are breathtaking—perfect for a genuinely unforgettable gala evening.

Crowden's 2011 Gala will honor former Crowden board member Deborah O’Grady.

Deborah is a professional photographer whose work has been exhibited throughout the United States and internationally. A longtime supporter of Crowden and a tireless community advocate, Deborah served on the Crowden Board of Trustees for ten years and is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Berkeley Symphony. Her two children, Sam and Emily Adams, attended The Crowden School, and Emily has served on faculty. Deborah's husband, composer John Adams, is a stalwart supporter and advocate of our school as well as the namesake and honoree of our Young Composers Program. Amongst her many contributions to Crowden, Deborah was instrumental in the foundation of the John Adams Young Composers Program, and also in securing our historical landmark building on Rose Street in 1998, finally giving Crowden a permanent home of our very own.

The theme for our 2011 Gala, "Illuminations," is inspired both by Deborah's photographs, many of which capture light in nature in extraordinary ways, and by her talent for "illuminating" creative and fiscal partnerships and connections between Bay Area artists, nonprofits, and arts supporters.

2011 Gala Co-Chairs: Noreen Axelson & Mary Lynn Miller

Gala Honorary Co-Chairs: Helen Meyer & Phillipa Kelly

Honorary Committee:

• Sallie & Edward Arens
• Carole Berg
• Deborah Borda
• Sarah Cahill
• Joana Carneiros
• Liza & Michael Dalby
• Gustavo Dudamel
• Shelby & Frederick Gans
• Ann & Gordon Getty
• Mark Grey & Cathe Brittan
• Kathy Henschel
• Leila Josefowicz
• Gary Karr & Harmon Lewis
• Philippa Kelly & Paul Dresher
• Tom & Jean Kirsch
• Donn Logan & Marcy Li Wong
• Liz & Gregory Lutz
• Susie Medak & Gregory Murphy
• Helen & John Meyer
• Richard Misrach & Myriam Weisang
• Michael Morgan
• Susan Muscarella & Robert Cole
• Kent Nagano
• Eddie & Amy Orton
• Peter Pastreich & Jamie Whittington
• Alex & Ditsa Pines
• Sir Simon Rattle
• Jessica Rivera
• Pamela Rosenberg
• Maryann Simpson &  Cynthia Asprodites
• Matias Tarnopolsky & Birgit Hottenrott
• Tony Taccone
• Michael Tilson Thomas & Joshua Robison
• Alba Witkin

We are assembling our most exciting collection of auction items yet, so you’ll want to come prepared with your check book!

Live auction prizes will include an intimate dinner with Deborah O’Grady and John Adams in their home and a week-long vacation in Mexico.

If you are unable to attend the 2011 Gala, we encourage you to support our students and programs by bidding in our online auction. Treat yourself to something nice, and make a real difference in Bay Area music education! Our online auctions will be open February 23 - March 9.