CONTRIBUTED

If you love exceptional music, if you adore marvelous food, and if you can't resist an auction of great treasures, then you must attend the second annual gala of the Carolina Philharmonic on Friday, Sept. 23, at the Pinehurst Fair Barn.

The gala, which celebrates the opening of the orchestra's 2011-2012 season, benefits both the Carolina Philharmonic and its recently formed educational outreach affiliate, Conservatory International. >

By now, virtually everyone in the Sandhills has become aware of the marvelous musical programs that Maestro David Michael Wolff has brought to the area.

For the gala, Wolff will > perform an eclectic musical repertoire as well as conduct the Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra. > In addition, Marina De Ratmiroff and Melvin Ezzell are returning to sing here, after their highly successful performances during the Palustris Festival.

Young Mee Jun, the accomplished soprano and also Wolff's wife, will once again perform her passionate operatic selections. >

For a foretaste of the pleasures Wolff's work with Conservatory International and young artists will deliver locally, attendees should be sure to arrive early. A special feature of the evening's festivities will be an eight-minute solo by Taylor Flanagan, >a student musician who performed during "Ode to Joy" this spring, sitting second violin. > Flanagan will play during the cocktail segment of the evening's events. >

Chef Mark Elliott will create a four-course dinner for the gala, a symphony of local ingredients and creative flavors to accompany the evening's musical fare.

"Elliott is a maestro himself, bringing exceptional food wherever he caters," says a spokesman. "If you think such an evening of food and music requires you to dress up, follow your instincts, > as > formal attire is optional. >And don't worry about the weather's soiling your finery or having to trudge through a sandy parking lot, as valet parking is complimentary."

Auction and raffle items include three days and two nights of accommodations at The Greenbrier, with two rounds of golf each day on its championship courses; > a round of sporting clays for a party of four at The Fork Farm, > with instruction from their > Level 1 shooting instructor; > a three-day, two-night stay at the Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary; and a week in a three-bedroom log cabin in Blowing Rock. >

Seagrove potter Frank Neef has contributed a vase and will teach the winner in his studio > to throw a pot and decorate it, after which he will fire it. Local artists Joan Williams and Nancy Yanchus will host a Follow-the-Leader Paint & Dine Party for eight in Williams' home; > > and chef/instructor Ellen Marcus, of Green Gate Gourmet, will offer a "Classical Cuisine - Carmen" cooking class for eight, with wine tasting at the shop in the village. >

Dining items include afternoon tea, $200 gift card for dining and one night's lodging, and a gourmet breakfast at Fearrington House Country Inn & Restaurant, along with two tickets for the Broadway musical"Come Fly Away" at DPAC; dinner for eight at Elliott's on Linden; "Dining in the Pines," a set of 12 gift certificates, for a year of fine dining for two in the Sandhills' best restaurants; 12 months of flowers, wine and chocolate; and a backyard barbecue for 20 to 24 guests, catered by The Pik N Pig family restaurant.

A special auction item is a concert in the winner's home conducted by David Michael Wolff, and the final item, a prelude to the next Carolina Philharmonic event, allows the person winning the eight VIP tickets to the Four Freshmen concert in October, and an opportunity to join them on stage in a song. >

Tickets are $100 per person, $75 active-duty military.

"Seating is limited, so call (910) 687-4746," says a spokesman.