SOCIAL SCENE: Golden Anniversary Gala
The Ocala Symphony Orchestra is celebrating 50 years of making musical magic.
Kevin Donohue, Cindy Nassal, Bill Nassal and Matthew Wardell, conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, pose during the OSO’s Golden Anniversary Gala at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala on Feb. 12, 2026.
On the evening of Feb. 12 at the Reilly Arts Center, guests dressed to the nines to celebrate the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s 50th anniversary.
The sold-out black-tie fundraising gala was staged in the intimate NOMA Black Box Theatre inside the expansive venue near downtown Ocala.
“The event sold out with 160 guests. The fundraising goal was surpassed, with more than $150,000 being raised to support arts programming and music education,” said Natalie McComb, executive director of the Reilly Arts Center and Ocala Symphony Orchestra.
“It was a fantastic event and, quite simply, a really fun evening. I loved seeing so many new friends along with our long-time supporters — the very people who helped build the Ocala Symphony Orchestra into the vibrant performing arts organization it is today. Their vision and generosity made it possible for the symphony not only to build the Reilly Arts Center, but to operate it as a thriving home for arts and community. It was a tremendous success and a beautiful capstone in celebrating our 50th anniversary season,” said Matthew Wardell, the OSO conductor and managing director of the arts center.
“Performances of the evening included Ocala Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Stewart Kitts performing the first movement of ‘Korngold’s Violin Concerto in D major,’ students from the Ocala Symphony Orchestra’s Community Music Conservatory and jazz throughout the evening from the Reilly Noir All-Stars,” McComb noted.
Lead gifts from the Midgett Family Foundation, Fort McCoy Beef and William and Cindy Nassal, along with sponsorships from Diane and Frank Monroe, Ausley Construction, Seacoast Bank, Dean Mead, Southeast Trust and Maven Photo + Film helped make the event possible, according to a news release.
To learn more and see the schedule of upcoming performances, go to reillyartscenter.com
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