Experience The Magic of the Season at Encore 2014

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GCC's 2014 Encore Chairpersons Gina and Chris White by “The Wizard of Oz” Christmas tree in their home

BATAVIA, NY (08/27/2014)(readMedia)-- Save the Date to experience The Magic of the Season at Genesee Community College on Tuesday, December 9, 2014. The Genesee Community College Foundation invites you to Encore 2014, a holiday celebration featuring festive décor, exceptional food, esteemed guests and the entrancing melodies of the prestigious Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

This year's event is being chaired by Gina and Christopher White of Batavia, the parents of two daughters, Taylor, 21, a GCC alumna who is continuing her education at SUNY Brockport, and Mattison, 18, a GCC student. The Whites truly believe in The Magic of the Season. "I've always, always loved Christmas," said Gina. "Each year of our marriage I have gathered trees. I think we have 18 trees now." She puts all of them up every year, but keeps one up year-round. It's filled with ornaments she's collected over the years from "The Wizard of Oz."

"It's just a magical time of year," said Chris who is vice president and a wealth management advisor at Merrill Lynch in Batavia. "Everybody gets together and they're a little bit nicer, a little bit friendlier. There's so much joy associated with the season."

Encore shares that joy beginning with a gala reception in the William W. Stuart Forum, followed by the renowned Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performing seasonal favorites under the baton of distinguished conductor Paul Ferington in the Stuart Steiner Theatre. The delightful evening concludes with an exquisite dessert nightcap in the Wolcott J. Humphrey III Student Union.

The evening benefits scholarships for GCC students, which the Whites wholeheartedly support. "The College is a great asset to the community and when you have economic development like the STAMP (Science Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park) project, the ability to be able to match that with a strong educational component is key. Educating our younger generation is very important for future development not only in our community but elsewhere," Chris said.

The Whites have enjoyed attending Encore in years past. "Seeing people, talking, listening to the music all make it an enjoyable evening," Gina said. "[BPO Conductor Paul Ferington] is very entertaining."

Mr. Ferington has been on the conducting staff of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for nearly 30 years. During this time, he has conducted the BPO in more than 400 concerts. A guest conductor and recital accompanist nationally and internationally, Ferington has received the Beaux Arts Award for Contributions to the Arts from the Niagara Council of the Arts, the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the OperaBuffs of Western New York Educator of the Year Award. In addition to conducting, he is on the music faculty at Buffalo State College and serves as conductor/music director for the new college-community Buffalo State Philharmonic Orchestra.

Proceeds from Encore support the GCC Foundation Scholarship Fund. Five Star Bank has again generously signed on to be the event's Benefactor Sponsor. Sponsorship support is available at the following levels:

• Conductor's Circle - $1,000 entitles donor to six tickets for the event, including a prelude reception with BPO Conductor

• Golden Baton Society - $600 and four tickets

• Inner Circle - $300 and two tickets

• Patron - $100 per ticket

Reservations for Encore: The Magic of the Season are requested by November 24, 2014. Questions can be directed to the GCC Foundation at (585) 345-6809 or via email foundation@genesee.edu.

For more information contact Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6616, or email dsutherland@genesee.edu.

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Editor's Note:

A photograph of Encore Chairpersons Gina and Chris White by "The Wizard of Oz" Christmas tree in their home is available here: http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/Chris_and_Gina_White.jpg