Palm Beach Symphony Prepares for Ninth Annual Holly Jolly Fête with Expanded Silent Auction

The Palm Beach Symphony is preparing for its Ninth Annual Holly Jolly Symphony Fête with an expanded silent auction featuring luxury items and experiences donated by community supporters. The gift-gathering party, held at Palm Beach Design Masters and sponsored by event chairs Mary and Will Demory, attracted more than 50 guests who brought donations ranging from fine jewelry and designer accessories to musical instruments and dining experiences. The event was hosted by honorary chairs Carol and Thomas Bruce, vice chairs Dr. Martha Rodriguez and Dr. Jesus Perez-Mendez, and auction chair Marietta Muiña McNulty, with design expertise provided by Joy Jalaeikhoo and Carl Vasile.

The silent auction represents a crucial fundraising component for the symphony's educational initiatives, particularly the Instrument Donation Program that provides musical instruments to promising students throughout Palm Beach County. Since the program's inception in 2016, the symphony has distributed 944 instruments along with more than 3,316 accessories and equipment pieces to local schools and music programs. This year's Holly Jolly event will feature the presentation of instruments to students and educators from Woodlands Middle School, The Conservatory School @ North Palm Beach, and Plumosa School of the Arts during the luncheon ceremony.

Scheduled for Monday, December 8 beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Cohen Pavilion at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach, the Holly Jolly Fête offers attendees a festive holiday shopping experience while supporting music education. Tickets are available for $300 per person at https://palmbeachsymphony.org/support/holly-jolly. The event includes a delicious lunch, festive musical performances, and the presentation of the 2025 Instrumental Music Teacher of the Year Award, in addition to the extensive silent auction featuring donated items elegantly displayed for bidding.

The symphony's education programs receive substantial support from numerous foundations and individual donors, including The Paul and Sandra Goldner Conservatory of Music, Ray K. Farris, The McNulty Charitable Foundation, and FINDLAY Galleries. Additional funding comes from the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County Arts and Cultural Education Fund and the National Endowment for the Arts. Event sponsors include FINDLAY Galleries, Palm Beach Design Masters, and Private Cask Imports, Inc., reflecting broad community engagement with the symphony's mission.

Palm Beach Symphony's educational outreach has significantly impacted the local community, reaching more than 90,000 students in recent years through children's concerts, student coaching sessions, master classes, and free public concerts. The organization's commitment to music education extends beyond performance, creating lasting opportunities for young musicians through instrument access and professional guidance. The Holly Jolly Symphony Fête serves as a key annual event sustaining these vital programs while bringing together symphony subscribers, patrons, Board of Directors members, and community supporters in celebration of music and education.