The Colorado Symphony Ball’s Rhapsody Rock at the Fillmore Auditorium

Once it was decided that United Airlines would receive the Colorado Symphony’s 2018 Margaret Phipps Award, choosing a theme for the event at which the award would be presented was a piece of cake.

United has been using George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” for its theme song since 1987, so it didn’t take long for everyone to agree that “Rhapsody Rock” would be a perfect fit for the annual dinner, dance and auction otherwise known as the Colorado Symphony Ball.

United has been the symphony’s official airline since 2011, providing air transportation for guest conductors and artists. Sharon Grant, United’s vice president of contact centers, accepted the award from Jerry Kern, who heads the symphony’s board of trustees with his wife, Mary Rossick Kern.

The Kerns had hosted several tables that night, for guests that included Brett Mitchell, the symphony’s music director, and his wife, Angela; KOA radio personality Ed Greene; Alan Salazar, chief of staff for Denver Mayor Michael Hancock; and pianist Natasha Paremski, who performed “Rhapsody in Blue” to a standing ovation.

Her performance preceded dance music by the symphony and The Merger, a rock band fronted by CEOS Mike Fries (Liberty Global), Bryant Martin (Bella Vida) and Bob Deibel (Officescapes). Before starting The Merger, they were the cofounders of The Moderators. They’re joined in the new venture by Roger Lynch, Nick Golder, Ryan Skiles, Emily Saunar and Rauelle Ahrens.

The popular fundraiser held at the Fillmore Auditorium was chaired by Stephanie Donner, outside corporate counsel for Galvanize, Inc. and treasurer of the Colorado Symphony board of trustees; Amy Harmon, founder of Urban Market Partners; and Diane Nagler, founder and president of The Nagler Agency. Both Harmon and Nagler also serve on the symphony’s governing board.

Before sitting down to a beef tenderloin and fried shrimp dinner catered by Epicurean, guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and silent auction bidding on the auditorium patio.

Former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers conducted the live auction and special appeal, the latter bringing in $136,000 — more than enough to meet the $100,000 challenge match offered by a donor who wished to remain anonymous.

An 18-member host committee — whose members included Denver City Councilman Albus Brooks, Elizabeth Hamilton, president and publisher of Colorado Expression magazine, and Paulina Szafranski, CEO of Refine Marketing — contributed to the event’s.

The symphony’s board of trustees was well-represented. We spotted Tony Accetta and his wife, Nancy; Jack Finlaw, president/ CEO of the University of Colorado Foundation, with spouse Greg Movesian; Rich Kylberg, with significant other Jillian Parker; Evan Lasky and wife, Sandy; political commentator Eric Sondermann; and BJ Dyer, whose Lodo flower shop Bouquets, decorated the Fillmore in shades of blue.

Others enjoying the festive evening were Denver City Attorney Kristin Bronson; promoter Chuck Morris and his wife, Becky; Alicia Economos and Van Schoales; Rob and Kathy Klugman; Matthew Keeney; Kasia Iwaniczko Macleod and David Macleod; Tamra Ward and hubby Dustin Whistler; Sean Walsh and his wife, Gloria Schoch; and 9News anchor Kyle Clark, the evening’s master of ceremonies.

Photos by Amanda Tipton, Special to The Denver Post Bid cards raise as auctioneer Reggie Rivers conducts the evening’s special appeal at the Colorado Symphony Ball.

From left: orthopedic surgeon Jim Ferrari, with Gary Steuer, president/ceo of the Bonfils-stanton Foundation; Gina Ferrari, the foundation’s director of grants; and Deborah Jordy, executive director of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District.

Cleo Parker Robinson rocks out to the music of The Merger, a band fronted by corporate executives Mike Fries, Bryant Martin and Bob Deibel.

Christopher Dragon conducts as The Merger and the Colorado Symphony play dance music at Rhapsody Rock.

Jerry Kern, co-chair of the Colorado Symphony board, with Diane Nagler, left, and Amy Harmon, who chaired the fundraiser with Stephanie Donner.

Pianist Natasha Paremski and Colorado Symphony music director Brett Mitchell.

Vice president Sharon Grant accepts the 2018 Margaret Phipps Award on behalf of United Airlines.

Colorado Symphony musicians Thomas Heinrich and Judith Mcintyre.

From left: veterinarian Kelly Tischer; Elizabeth Hamilton, president/publisher of Colorado Expression magazine; Shane Hendryson and photographer Jensen Sutta.

Julie and Gregg Lucas peruse the items up for bid at the symphony's annual fundraising gala.