South Florida Youth Symphony is throwing a Liberty Gala on Nov. 21 at Miami Shores Country Club to mark 250 years of American music, with proceeds going toward an organization that mostly serves young musicians from underserved parts of North Miami-Dade and South Broward counties. The evening will also honor alumnus Dr. Daniel Andai, now dean of the music division at the New World School of the Arts in Miami, who once played in the symphony's own ranks alongside his two brothers.
The event is set to begin with a 6:30 p.m. cocktail hour, according to Miami's Community News, which describes the gala as a benefit for the symphony's ongoing music programs and its broader mission of empowering young musicians. Individual tickets are priced at $150 per person and include an open bar, hors d'oeuvres and a three-course meal, per the same report. South Florida Youth Symphony's own event listing confirms the Miami Shores Country Club venue at 10000 Biscayne Boulevard and names Andai as this year's gala honoree.
A Violinist Who Started in SFYS's Own Orchestra
Andai built an international career after his early orchestral training, and the New World School of the Arts bio page describes him as concertmaster, frequent soloist and guest conductor of The Miami Symphony Orchestra. He remains committed to the musical and cultural life of South Florida and dedicated to developing classical music in Miami while educating future musicians, according to the seed report. In his own words, shared on the symphony's testimonial page, “SFYS played an important role for me as a young musician. I remember feeling a part of the team when I played in the orchestra,” Andai told sfysmusic.org.
Marjorie Hahn said the patriotic gala would honor America on its 250th birthday and be memorable, and she added that honoring Andai's accomplishments carries special meaning for South Florida, according to the community newspaper's account. The evening's lineup includes performances by Jennings & Keller and the Magic City Jazztet, the same report notes.
Sponsorships and a 62-Year Mission
Organizers describe South Florida Youth Symphony as an Emmy and gold medal-winning organization and one of the country's leading youth music groups, now 62 years old. A limited number of sponsorships remain available: Prelude packages cost $1,500, Intermezzo runs $2,500 and the top-tier Fortissimo sponsorship is $5,000, the seed article reports. The symphony's own event page confirms that a $1,500 table sponsorship covers 10 people, while the Fortissimo level adds a private concert at a residence or business event on top of its table for 10.
The organization says it serves more than 280 students annually across five training classes in strings, winds and keyboard, plus three progressive orchestra levels, according to its listing on Give Miami Day. Most of those students come from low-income households, and the program serves youths ages 3 to 23, the same listing states. The symphony says it has served families in South Florida, nationally and internationally since 1964, presenting concerts from August through July each year and running a Summer Music Camp for 28 years. It also reported being invited back to the Prague International Youth Music Festival in March 2026.
Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased through Givebutter at givebutter.com/c/sfys-liberty-gala or by phone at 305-962-2079, Miami's Community News reports.
