The St. Joseph Symphony will be trying something new to raise funds this year. 

A dinner and auction will take place August 26th and a golf tournament on August 28th.

The event on Saturday, the 26th, will include dinner, live music from the symphony and a live auction and silent auction. Some of the auction items include custom artwork and a Branson trip.

Rico McNeela is the Music Director of the St. Joseph Symphony. McNeela said an opportunity to conduct the symphony in their December concert will also be a part of the auction.

“With that, you get a baton, a couple of lessons with me and a chance to stand up in front of the orchestra and conduct before our hometown audience,” McNeela said. “My plan is to make whoever purchases this comfortable so they know enough to walk out and feel comfortable and confident and have a great time.”

The golf tournament will take place on Monday, August 28th at the Moila Country Club.

McNeela said the golf tournament will be “symphon-o-fied.”

“Golf is not something you generally associate with symphonic music, however, we’re going to have some special events,” McNeela said. “Jake (the chair of the golf tournament) is going to actually be at what we’re going to call the trombone hazard. He’s going to be stationed on a green and the only way to get him to stop playing is to pay him. So a five dollar fee will get you a quiet putt, otherwise you can take your chances.”

Proceeds from the dinner, auctions and golf tournament will benefit the upcoming St. Joseph Symphony season.

The dinner and auction take place beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 26th at Moila. The golf tournament begins with lunch at 11 a.m. followed by a 12:30 shot gun start on Monday, August 28th at the Moila Country Club. 

For more information, click here or call the St. Joseph Symphony office at (816) 233-7701.