FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Palm Springs, Ca., - December 12, 2012- The Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert celebrated Honoree Gary Hall, Senior Vice President/Wealth Advisor Wells Fargo Private Bank, one of the Coachella Valley's foremost philanthropists, at its recent Gala, which raised approximately $ 89,700.00 to support the Opera Guild's numerous community outreach programs. A crowd of 150 elegantly attired guests attended this event on the evening of Monday, December 10, 2012 at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort in Rancho Mirage, Ca. Hosted by the Palm Springs Opera Guild Board and Co-chaired by Jean C. Carrus and Donald Osborne, the event featured a California cuisine three course dinner, dancing, and entertainment by Pat McCaffrey and the Whiz Kids Band.
"I am deeply touched to be honored by the Opera Guild of the Desert and so very proud to support the outreach programs for this thoughtful organization," stated Honoree Gary Hall. "The Arts change lives and improve our quality of life in the Coachella Valley," Hall continued.
Gary Hall has long been a donor to the Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert, and has a passion for both charity and the Arts. A Southern Californian and graduate of USC and UC Riverside, Hall has been in the financial services business for over 30 years, having worked with many Fortune 500 financial institutions in the Los Angeles and Coachella Valley markets. He has been an important conduit to the enormously generous Wells Fargo Foundation, which has given so much and significantly benefitted so many local community organizations.
Hall continues to volunteer not only money, but precious and untold hours to his community. He is a pivotal force for good in acquiring much-needed capital to struggling Coachella Valley nonprofits, and serves in a number of benevolent capacities throughout the community. A short list of these positions he has held or now holds is extraordinary. He is the President of the Coachella Valley Repertory Theater, the Vice Chairman of Primecare Healthcare, President of the Thunderbird HOA, Director of United Way of the Desert, Director of the Rancho Mirage Rotary, former Director and Advocate of the College of the Desert Foundation, member of the Community Outreach Committee, and former Desert Estate Planning Council Member. Mr. Hall's charitable work in advocacy for the Arts is just as remarkable. He is a Trustee and Audit Committee Member of the Palm Springs Art Museum, Director for the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Director for the McCallum Theatre and Committee Member of the McCallum Theatre Institute. In addition to these impressive leadership roles, Mr. Hall continues to work as an advocate for numerous charities including ACT for MS, The Virginia Waring International Piano Competition, Desert Aids Project, Tools for Tomorrow, and Aids Assistance Program.
"I am personally very pleased that the Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert Board unanimously agreed to sponsor this event honoring Gary Hall, and thank the Wells Fargo Foundation for their continued support of our organization and so many others in the Valley," stated Charles T. (Terry) Hendrix, President of the Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert.
Distinguished members of the community who served as Honorary Chairs for the December Gala included Mark Anton, Steven Biller, David Brinkman, Ron Celona, James Carona, Peggy Cravens, Bill Fisher, Helene Galen, Frank Garofolo, Jerry Green, Gloria Greer, Stan Hack, Jamie Kabler, Barbara & Jerry Keller, Andrew Linsky, Harold Matzner, Harold & Dorothy Meyerman, Patrick Mundt, Bill Nicholson, John O'Conner, Russ Russell, and Sandra Cooper Woodson.
The Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert is a cultural organization which works to promote opera through the delivery of quality operatic performances to a large and diverse audience throughout the Coachella Valley. The Guild helps ensure the future of the art form by encouraging and supporting young singers with financial assistance, performance opportunities and through student and adult Outreach programs.
PROVIDING OPERA OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO YOUTH IN COACHELLA VALLEY- The Opera Outreach Program presents various artists and programs to students in their school settings. In 2011, the Palm Springs Opera Guild reached over 12,000 youngsters.
HOLDING AN ANNUAL OPERA VOCAL SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION WITH CASH AWARDS TO THE FINALISTS – The annual Palm Springs Opera Guild Vocal Competition, held this year on Saturday, December 1st at the Rancho Mirage Public Library, promotes and helps to advance the careers of young artists. Numerous winners of the competition are now singing with the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Chicago Lyric and other venues worldwide.
PRESENTING THE OPERATIC ART FORM TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY – With the goals of providing cultural enhancement, not only to Opera Guild members, but to the residents of the Coachella Valley, the Palm Springs Opera Guild promotes and presents a variety of Operatic programs. The Guild works in conjunction with the McCallum Theatre, and the Rancho Mirage Public Library to reach these goals. The highlight of these is the "Opera In The Park" program in Palm Springs. This free to the public event enters its 15th year on April 7, 2013.
Media Sponsors for the December 10, 2012 Gala included KMIR & KPSE TV, The Coachella Valley BEACON, and MONEY TALK RADIO.