National Symphony Orchestra
A prime example of innovative philanthropy in the performing arts is the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation’s support of the far-reaching education programs of the National Symphony Orchestra of Washington, D.C. These highly lauded programs introduce the power and magic of live symphonic music to literally tens of thousands of young minds (and ears) in our nation’s capital and surrounding regions.
As the sponsor of the 2001 National Symphony Orchestra Ball, the Foundation reaffirmed its historical support of this crown jewel of the District of Columbia’s cultural life. The Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation served as Host of the Orchestra Ball, which raised a record amount and featured legendary performers Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Michael Crawford, Patti Austin, Aaron Neville and James Ingram.
Funds generated by the 2001 Ball supported special NSO concerts, competitions, scholarships and apprenticeships for talented students from the metropolitan Washington area, including a growing number of inner-city youth. In many cases, these concerts and other events will be the first encounters with classical music that these students have ever had.
But thanks to the Foundation and the NSO’s outstanding cultural outreach program, they certainly won’t be the last. The Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation continued to be a major benefactor of the National Symphony Orchestra in 2002, 2003 and 2004.