The Valparaiso community was treated to another week of delightful music at Central Park Plaza. Many gathered together as the Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF) presented, Symphony Under The Stars, featuring the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday, July 31.
“The PCCF has hosted this annual event since 2014,” said Jeri Pat Gabbert, executive vice president and chief philanthropic officer of the PCCF. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with the Northwest Indiana Symphony and offer the opportunity for the community to come together.”
Chairs flooded the venue well before the Northwest Indiana Symphony even took the stage. Gabbert is grateful to see the growth of this event over the years and how it has sparked a bigger following for a wide range of music.
“It’s wonderful to be here in Valparaiso’s Central Park Plaza again this year,” Gabbert said. “So many people are going to see the variety of music played by the symphony that’s geared toward all ages. We received plenty of phone calls hours before the event from people asking when they could put their chairs out. It’s a great culmination of summer with school starting back up in a couple weeks. Bringing people together is what we’re all about at the Porter County Community Foundation.”
Organizing an event like this takes a committee of partners and sponsors to make everything come together successfully. Bill Higbie, president and CEO of the PCCF, describes the importance the organization has had in making the Symphony Under The Stars evening a success for several years.
“We’ve had a wonderful time bringing the symphony here for this event,” Higbie said. “We don’t do that alone and we have some very important funding partners that help support this concert as well.”
Along with the PCCF, the program was presented by Dr. Scott Buck, Ralph and Sue Neff, and Ian McMillan.
David Mika, executive director of South Shore Arts & Northwest Indiana Symphony, shared his gratitude for not only these sponsors but also those who have supported the Symphony Summer Concert Series. This includes the John W. Anderson Foundation, Hard Rock Casino Northwest Indiana, and Strack & Van Til.
“This wouldn’t have happened without the talent of the musicians on this stage,” Mika said. “These musicians are absolutely incredible. It also wouldn’t happen without our sponsors who have helped fund the Northwest Indiana Symphony.”
The Valparaiso community embraces every chance to see the Northwest Indiana Symphony. This is always one of the most exciting nights for the PCCF.
The Northwest Indiana Symphony will be performing next in Hammond on Friday, August 2.
For more information about the Porter County Community Foundation, please visit www.pccf.gives.
