Weill Hall Season Opening Gala 2015

Sandy Weill, Joan Weill, Lang Lang

Weill Hall at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center

Inside Weill Hall at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center

Lang Lang onstage at Weill Hall

A dazzling performance from Lang Lang opened the fourth season at Weill Hall at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center, on October 3rd. Joan Weill and Alice Chiang co-chaired the Season Opening Gala event that also included a cocktail reception at Prelude Restaurant and dinner in an elaborate tent.

Lang Lang chose Tchaikovsky’s The Seasons, Opus 37a, a set of twelve short character pieces, for the recital performance. Selections from Bach and Chopin followed. Each piece ended with a standing ovation.

In a nod to guest of honor Lang Lang’s Chinese heritage, event designer Thierry Chantrel of La Follia, and lighting designer The Lux, created an Asian contemporary theme in the gala tent. Trevor Kunk, the James Beard Award-winning executive chef of PRESS Napa Valley, along with Elaine Bell Catering, prepared the gala dinner.

Scenes from the Weill Hall Season Opening Gala 2015:

Weill Hall Season Opening Gala Co-chairs Alice Chiang and Joan Weill

Dennis Calas, Lorna Meyer Calas, David Stull, Lisa Grotts, John Grotts

Clarence Klugh, Lucas Barwinski

Pamela Joyner, Gorretti Lui

Mike Conway, Leslie Conway, Karen Schlereth, Larry Schlereth

Sonoma State University President Ruben Arminana and Marne Olson

The Green family on the fourth season opening night at Green Music Center: Michael Green, Rebecca Green Birdsall, Wendy Green, Tom Birdsall

Rich Guggenhime, Judy Guggenhime

Fritz Hatton, Sharon Winslow

Mary Schuh, Michael Schuh

Lang Lang with his family

The gala dinner tent

Photos by Drew Altizer Photography

— Related: Opening Night at Weill Hall in Sonoma (2012)