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Every year one lucky bidder has the opportunity to lead the orchestra in a rousing rendition of John Phillip Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever. Often a group gets together to honor a friend, co-worker or family member with the baton. They spend the summer raising funds, concoct elaborate ruses to fool their unsuspecting friend and then surprise them just before intermission with this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Past winners have included former police chief Jim Gardiner, auctioneer and retired Cuesta College Vice President Gil Stork, State Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, patrons of the arts Peggy Peterson and Beverly Smith, Symphony Executive Director Sandi Sigurdson and in 2006, Missie Hobson of PG&E took the honor.
Get in on the excitement of the bidding or start your own conspiracy! It all benefits Symphony artistic and music education programs.
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