USC Associates, Symphony Demonstrate Old College Spirit

Ask USC President Steven B. Sample about the university’s ties with Orange County and he rattles off statistics like an honor student: “There are 20,000 USC alums in Orange County . . . 2,000 on-campus students from the Orange County area . . . $10 million of our annual private giving comes from Orange County . . . and 25% of the members of our Associates support group live in Orange County.”

Sample and his wife, Kathryn, joined 350 guests for the Associates’ first Orange County gala on Saturday at the Westin South Coast Plaza hotel in Costa Mesa.

“It is wonderful to be here. Kathryn and I always enjoy our visits to Orange County,” he told the black-tie crowd.

The event began with a reception for major donors, continued with an elegant sit-down dinner (smoked duck salad, prawns with lemon caper sauce, filet mignon with Bordelaise sauce) and culminated with the Associates’ attendance at the USC Symphony’s premiere performance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

The concert was co-presented by the Orange County Philharmonic Society and the USC School of Music. Afterward, guests gathered with orchestra members at Scott’s Seafood Grill for a dessert reception.

“Orange County is a very important region for us,” Sample said during the festivities. “What you may not know is that Orange County has one of our four academic centers; we have 1,600 students pursuing degrees here.”

For Sample, it was a night to praise the Associates, the university’s premiere academic support group. “I was told that when the president’s office calls for help, the Associates deliver,” he said. “That was right. You are a valuable resource.”

(Since the group’s founding in 1959, the Associates have donated more than $4 million to student scholarships.)

For USC alum Erich Vollmer, it was a night to laud the USC Symphony. “It’s the top university orchestra in the nation,” confided the former executive director of the Orange County Philharmonic Society.

(Vollmer’s attendance at the dinner marked his first Orange County gala appearance since he began his tenure last month as director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.)

“When you close your eyes, you swear you’re listening to a professional orchestra,” Vollmer said. “Symphony director Daniel Lewis is an absolute genius in making young musicians do things they never dreamed they could do.”

The idea for a performance by the USC Symphony in Segerstrom Hall came to Vollmer the night the center opened in 1986. “Lewis and his wife were my guests at the opening,” he said. “After the concert I turned to Dan and said: ‘I hope someday USC can play here.’

“Well, it’s 1993 now, and we finally did it,” he said. “For me, it’s the fulfillment of a long-held dream.

“The USC Orchestra was my main source of pride when I majored in music at the university,” Vollmer said. “I was always so upset that football got all of the attention.

“Tonight, Orange County gets to find out that the orchestra is terrific,” he said.

Also among guests: Rick and Nancy Muth (gala co-chairmen); Ruth Ann and Eugene Moriarty (he was dinner chairman); Hyla and Dick Bertea; Don and Claudette Shaw; Deeann and Al Baldwin; Lillian Fluor; Tom and Perta Santley; Jean and Larry Williams; and Associates president John Argue with his wife, Liz.

*

Pacific Symphony Gala: A ballroom glittering with mirrored balls and jewel-toned lights will provide the ambience for the Pacific Symphony Orchestra League’s “Symphony of Jewels” on May 1 at Le Meridien in Newport Beach.

Black Iris of Laguna Beach will create the floral arrangements. Fred Chuang, visual display coordinator for Tiffany & Co., is dreaming up the special effects. Chuang has gained a reputation for dramatic ballroom decor at the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s annual Candlelight Concerts.

“The ball decor is going to be very tasteful, low-key--no glitz,” said chairwoman Ann Key.

Tiffany & Co. is also providing the invitations (elegant, embossed missives that would run about $15 over-the-counter). For information, call (714) 755-5788.

*

Golden Baton Gala: Arts philanthropists John and Donna Crean of Santa Ana Heights will be awarded the prestigious Golden Baton at the annual black-tie gala sponsored by the Orange County Philharmonic Society.

Four-hundred guests are expected to attend the May 22 event at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach.

Past baton recipients include conductor Zubin Mehta and the late Daniel Aldrich, founding chancellor of UC Irvine.

Musician/comedian Steve Allen and the Horace Heidt Orchestra will entertain. For information, telephone (714) 553-2422. Bobbitt Williams is chairwoman.

*

Sequin-studded flannels anyone? If you’re a morning person, stay in your jammies on April 3 and hike on over to the Dunes’ Back Bay Cafe for brunch and a fashion show by Saks Fifth Avenue.

“Bedwear/Morning Wear” is the suggested attire for this benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Orange County. Prizes will be awarded for most glamorous and most creative PJs. For information, call (714) 938-1393.