Gala to Help Fuel Festival Hill’s Next Half Century

The chandeliers in the huge, elaborate white tent sparkled softly over 425 enthusiastic guests garbed in tuxes, cocktail dresses, flowing gowns and cowboy boots. All were in attendance at the recent 50th anniversary gala of the worldrenowned Round Top Festival Institute, or Festival Hill.

The spectacular fundraiser on April 9, officially entitled “Festival Hill Gala: Prelude to the Next Fifty,” was held to celebrate 50 years of artistic direction from concert pianist, Founder and Artistic Director James Dick. And, to raise much needed operational and programming funds and honor ded icated donors, volunteers and staff. “I’m not the kind of person to pat myself on the back,” commented Dick. “The gala and this past 50 years has made me stop to think how lucky I’ve been that I’ve had people that believe in me. And I’ve believed in them.”

The evening kicked off with a lively set of jazz tunes being played as appetizers and libations were passed around, Mark and Katrina Elvig, Gala Co-Chairs welcomed guests and graciously thanked everyone one involved. In a moving tribute, Dick cited special memories and acknowledged all the attendees, contributors and dedicated donors.

Then, paddles went up for the live auction featuring over eight discerning offerings, a few of which included a gourmet French dinner by Lora Lou and Pierre Miral, a 1939 Double Wedding Ring Quilt from the estate of Leota Anderson, James Dick’s piano teacher in Hutchinson, Kansas, and a Party on the Plaza with Black Cat Choir and Armando’s Taco Truck.

The two highest bids were for a pair of vacation rentals. One was a multi-level Spanish Colonial style home on 100 acres on the High Marfa Plateau in Marfa. The other was a six-bedroom vacation home offering idyllic sunrise and sunset views over water and a 35-45 acre tract of woods located on Morancy Pond in Sullivan, Maine. The Marfa home went for $14,000 and the Maine vacation won a bid for $22,000.

Just a few of the over 30 silent auction items included a wooden keepsake chest by Larry Birkelbach, An Evening with Lyle Lovett and a hat collection containing a signed hat from Laura Bush.

Numbers generated from the gala are still coming in, but are close to $500,000.

For those few that are unaware of Festival Hill, it’s an internationally recognized center for performance and learning, in addition to housing a 1,000 seat concert hall. Over $500,000 in scholarships are provided every year for aspiring young musicians all over the world. It’s an intensive summer music education program. “Music is a universal language. It must speak to the world—and it does. When we’re full, we have 37 different nations represented here at one time,” stated Dick.

“We were honored to have chaired Festival Hill’s 2022 Gala—its first ever,” stated Co-Chairs Mark and Katrina Elvig. “We thank everyone who helped make it possible, particularly those on the planning committee, as well as our generous vendors, underwriters and contributors. It was a fabulous event and a wonderful evening. The theme, “Prelude to the Next 50,” simultaneously recognized the 50th anniversary of Festival Hill’s founding in 1971 and set the tone to continue Founder, James Dick’s, vision and mission for (at least) another 50 years.

The gala, all the supporters of the noble Institute, and the continued passion of Mr. Dick, have ensured that it will.