Most donors of eight-figure gifts see their names etched onto buildings, a testament to their philanthropy. Sanda and Jeremiah Lambert, residents of Palm Beach, chose a different legacy: woodwinds, strings, brass, and percussion.
Their transformative $10 million gift to The Society of the Four Arts’ centennial campaign ensures that the society’s renowned concert programming will now be celebrated as the Sanda and Jeremiah Lambert Concert Series.
“This series has long been a cornerstone of the society’s programming,” said Philip Rylands, president and CEO of The Society of the Four Arts.
“Renowned musicians and performances captivate audiences year after year. With Sanda and Jerry’s support, we will continue to bring world-class classical music experiences to our audiences, enriching the community culturally, socially, and emotionally.”
The donation is deeply personal for Sanda Lambert, whose musical lineage and passion for the arts run deep. Her mother, Mildred Kayden, was a composer and music professor at Vassar, and Sanda herself studied piano and trombone in Juilliard’s preparatory division.
Her musical journey found its true resonance when she discovered the Baroque harpsichord. Though her professional path led her to Columbia Law School and a career as a litigator in Washington, D.C., music remained an enduring passion. She served in volunteer roles, including chairing the Washington Chamber Symphony.
Her husband, Jerry Lambert, also an attorney specializing in energy and corporate law, shares her love for music. Describing himself as “an unalloyed supporter of Sanda’s desire to share her passion for music,” Jerry called the society’s classical music programming “indispensable.”
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, chair of the Centennial Campaign committee, lauded the couple’s gift: “We are honored and humbled by the Lamberts’ extraordinary generosity. Their commitment to the arts and our community is truly inspiring, and we are grateful for their partnership as we continue to enrich the cultural landscape of Palm Beach.”
The couple’s love for The Society of the Four Arts and its musical offerings solidified during an unforgettable experience in the early days of COVID-19.
While rehearsing Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, a sprinkler pipe burst in the Gubelmann Auditorium, sending water across the stage. “With lightning speed, the Four Arts team saved the instruments and relocated the performance to Johnson Hall,” Sanda recalled. “It was an extraordinary evening that Jerry and I will never forget. And the harpsichord, happily, was undamaged.”
The Lamberts’ generosity will support a vibrant 2024-25 season curated by Sofia Vollmer Maduro and Wu Han. Highlights include a multi-concert Mendelssohn Festival by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, performances by singers from the Metropolitan Opera, and appearances by world-renowned pianists such as Stephen Hough and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet. String quartets, including the Viano, Cremona, and Dover ensembles, will further enrich the series.
The Sanda and Jeremiah Lambert Concert Series launches with the Viano String Quartet on February 26, performing works by Haydn, Dvořák, and Alistair Coleman’s “Moonshot,” inspired by the Apollo 11 moon landing. Through this series, the Lamberts’ dedication to the arts will resonate, not just in Palm Beach, but in the hearts of all who experience the power of music.