Longtime San Luis Obispo Symphony supporter and tireless music education advocate Sandy Dunn has been selected as this year’s 4th Annual Symphony Honors recipient. 

Serving as Symphony Board President for two years as well as on countless committees and youth outreach efforts, Dunn will be presented with the Symphony’s highest honor at this year’s gala Symphony Ball, being held Saturday, February 26, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to midnight at the Embassy Suites Hotel’s grand ballroom. 

Preceded by only three previous Honors recipients, Clifford Chapman and Gene Shidler in 2008, Pam Dassenko in 2009, and Jim and Lyn Baker in 2010, Dunn was chosen for her strong leadership, superb fund-raising talents, innovative ideas, and tireless efforts on behalf of music education for children. 

“I was so surprised when I got the news,” said Dunn. “For three years, I have had the honor of making this presentation to our previous Honors recipients, and believe me it has been so much easier to present than it will be to receive it. I am greatly honored, immensely humbled, and deeply appreciative.” 

Born in Jefferson City Missouri and raised with four siblings in Columbia Missouri, Dunn’s desire to serve others began early. Active parents and a supportive family life taught her to value community above self, and she worked in her local hospital as a Candy Striper during high school. She studied Art at the University of Missouri at Columbia, then married and raised three children. 

When she moved to the Central Coast in 1996, Dunn became active in the community almost immediately, serving on the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce board, Rotary International, and the UCSB Economic Task Force.  She would later serve on the Festival Mozaic’s (formerly Mozart Festival) Events Committee, Women’s Shelter Fundraiser Acquisitions Committee, and as a founding member of the SLO County Community Foundation’s Women’s Legacy Fund. For these and other volunteer efforts, Dunn was recently given the Barbara George Women of Distinction Philanthropy Award. 

Dunn’s great love for the Symphony blossomed more than a decade ago when she survived a car accident that left her with grave injuries. During her long recovery, her husband, former San Luis Obispo City Manager John Dunn, took her to the Performing Arts Center to hear the Symphony when she was still in a wheelchair, unable to walk. 

“As soon as Maestro Michael Nowak raised his baton and the music began,” Dunn recalled, “I forgot all the stress, all the pain I had been through … and I realized what a gift it is, how blessed we are to have this incredible orchestra.” 

Dunn joined the Symphony’s Board of Directors six years ago. In addition to holding office and chairing committees, Dunn also initiated two highly successful fund-raising efforts: the Symphony Syrah Project, and the Celebrity Wine Raffle.

“Sandy is both an idea person and is peerless in implementation,” said June McIvor, current Symphony board president-elect. “Her enthusiasm is so contagious; she has brought countless new friends to the Symphony, thereby growing her own impact exponentially.”

“I personally can't think of anyone who brings more energy, commitment, and passion to her philanthropic endeavors than Sandy Dunn,” said French Hospital President/CEO Alan Iftiniuk. “This, coupled with her extensive fund-raising experience makes her a must-have on any non-profit's governing board’s dream team.”

Marking the Symphony’s 50th anniversary, this year’s gala Symphony Ball will reflect the year 1961—the year the Symphony was officially born—with décor, dress, drink, food and entertainment all in the unmistakable style of the early 1960s.

“Attendees will celebrate the Symphony’s Golden Anniversary by traveling back in time to the golden age of Camelot,” said the Symphony’s Communications Director Patty Thayer. “Think princess phones and Cadillacs with fins, Marilyn Monroe and the Rat Pack. Camelot is on Broadway, Moon River is the number one song, and the Kennedys are in the White House.” 

The evening will include a sumptuous multi-course dinner, entertainment, dancing, and silent and live auctions. Reservations for the Ball and Honors celebration are $120 per person. Tribute Ads honoring this year’s Symphony Honors Recipient Sandy Dunn may also be purchased and will be printed in the program booklet for the evening, then presented to her as a gift. Proceeds go to support the Symphony’s concerts and Music Education Programs that reach over 16,000 County school children every year.

For more information or to make your reservations, please call the Symphony office at (805) 543-3533 or visit the Symphony website at www.slosymphony.com.