OTTAWA (Canada) –

The 2015 National Arts Centre featuring world renowned pianist Lang Lang and the NAC Orchestra – under the leadership of its new Music Director Alexander Shelley – has raised a record $1,005,000 in support of the NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust. The annual NAC Gala has raised over $11.6 million over the past 19 years to support the National Youth and Education Trust.

Bonnie Buhler, who acted as Honorary co-Patron with her husband John, announced the amount raised from the stage during the evening. The NAC reached its record tonight thanks to last-minute contributions from NAC supporters. NAC Foundation Board member Dianne Kipnes and her husband Irving donated $105,000 during the post-concert Gala dinner and brought the total to $1 million. The morning after the event, NAC Gala Chair Gary Zed increased his support by additional gift of $5,000, enabling the NAC to make this the top-grossing gala in its history.

It was a glitzy affair as Canada’s top business, political and cultural leaders – such as the Chief Justice of Canada Beverley McLachlin, former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, and President and CEO of CIBC Victor Dodig – made their way down the red carpet in the NAC foyer, which was decked out in an Asian theme with gorgeous tones of red, black, and gold. Dinner guests dined under lanterns and parasols, and received personalized fortune cookies.

Making a grand entrance on this year’s red carpet were Lang Lang and Alexander Shelley, accompanied by their respective mothers. The gala concert featured some of the world’s most-loved classical music including Rachmaninoff’s First Piano Concerto performed by Lang Lang, and a spirited performance of Saint-Saëns Havanaise, Op. 83 by up-and-coming violin prodigy Timothy Chooi.

GRATITUDE FOR SUPPORTERS

Proceeds from the Gala help the NAC to provide a wide range of artistic and educational programming that nurtures and develops the creativity of young people in the National Capital Region and all across the country.

“I wish to extend my sincere thanks to our generous sponsors and to all donors who made this evening an incredible success. The NAC’s National Youth and Education Trust delivers exceptional programming all across the country, that encourages youth to learn to express themselves creatively in music, theatre and dance. The funds raised today, will provide youth with the tools necessary to develop a sense of innovation and purpose that will be important in their adult lives,” said Jayne Watson, CEO of the National Arts Centre Foundation.

The NAC Gala is made possible by the tireless dedication of its organizing committee, led by its Honorary Chair Laureen Harper and by Chair Gary Zed. The NAC is grateful to Presenting Sponsor CIBC for their ongoing partnership with the NAC Gala. The generosity of Honorary Patrons Bonnie and John Buhler, Associate Sponsor Shaw Communications Inc., and Major Sponsor SNC-Lavalin Inc. is also exceptional. Other Gala sponsors include EY,

Emond Harnden LLP, Mizrahi Corporation, Quebecor, Mark Motors Audi, The Ottawa Citizen and LeDroit. Their investment through the Trust, as well as individual and corporate donors from all across the country, help the NAC nurture and develop the creativity of young people in all regions across Canada and support the educators and artists who challenge and encourage them.

MENU

Guests enjoyed a menu that included an appetizer of smoked tomato consommé, main dish of braised Alberta beef with pearl onion stuffed Yukon Gold potato, sage and maple butternut purée, and a delectable dessert of sweet potato pie & bourbon cream, apple fritter & cinnamon chocolate ganache, pumpkin mousse profiterole & pistachio crust, Niagara peach & star anise coulis.

LANG LANG AND 101 PIANISTS

In addition to this evening’s Gala, Lang Lang brought his unique program and workshop 101 Pianists to the NAC stage on Friday September 18. Young pianists from the region were pre-selected to participate in the event, and two different arrangements of selected scores are created to allow piano students of all skill levels to equally participate. Part public performance and part classroom, Lang Lang conducted with assistance from senior piano instructors and tempo keepers to lead a day long masterclass with the students.  The final performance in Southam Hall, was the culmination of an extraordinary day with 101 pianists (100 students and Lang Lang) performing one piece of music in harmony.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL YOUTH AND EDUCATION TRUST

Initiatives supported by the National Youth and Education Trust include a wide range of programs such as masterclasses, internships, and training programs for emerging artists, as well as student matinees, open rehearsals, and subsidized tickets to build young audiences. It also helps provide key information to teachers, including resource kits, online tools such as the Arts.Alive.ca, as well as support for dozens of educational activities across Canada, like the NAC’s Music Alive Program which brings professional musicians into elementary schools in remote parts of the country. Last year alone, more than 100,000 young people participated in activities made possible by gifts to the Trust. Established by the NAC Foundation in 2001, the Trust is the primary resource for youth and education funding at the NAC.

-30-

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Andrea Ruttan
Communications Officer
National Arts Centre Orchestra
613 947-7000 x335
Cell: 613 220-5487
andrea.ruttan@nac-cna.ca