Nov. 4, 2015

The Sound of Speed 2 Roars Into Downtown Phoenix

More than 4,500 people attended The Sound of Speed 2, held at Symphony Hall on Oct. 24. This unique collaboration between The Phoenix Symphony and the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company brought together music, cars and racing fans to raise awareness and support for the Symphony’s education and community outreach initiatives.

Barrett-Jackson’s Pit Road Street Festival, on Third Street next to Symphony Hall, featured 28 cars valued at more than $100 million from its own collection as well as from private owners around the Valley. Notable highlights were the original Batmobile from the 1960s television show, the two-time LeMans-winning 1968 Ford GT-40 Chassis #1075 and three Chevrolet Corvette Convertibles with #001 VINs, a 1955, 1956 and 1957.

Music and local food trucks kept Pit Road crowded well into the night. VIP guests enjoyed a special reception and live auction with an opportunity to bid on unique items like a Barrett-Jackson VIP Experience, an evening with Andrea Bocelli and an evening with Emmy Award-winning actor Bryan Cranston, as well as a painting by Bill Patterson, which he painted during the concert.

The night’s festivities culminated with The Sound of Speed 2, a multimedia concert that featured music performed live by The Phoenix Symphony and film clips interspersed with prominent speakers including Phoenix Suns small forward P.J. Tucker and retired NASA astronaut William Gregory. The concert also paid tribute to the brave men and women who serve our country. The Symphony gave more than 400 free tickets to veterans and active military so they could enjoy the event and be recognized for their service.

Malcolm in the Middle star and racecar driver Frankie Muniz was the master of ceremonies. Larry Blank returned to conduct his original composition, The Sound of Speed Overture, and Craig Jackson, CEO of Barrett-Jackson, joined The Phoenix Symphony on stage to conduct the National Anthem.

Carolyn and Craig Jackson, Nan and C.A. Howlett, and Frankie Muniz and Elycia Marie Turnbow were the event co-chairs.

At top, co-chairs Carolyn and Craig Jackson, Frankie Muniz and Elycia Marie Turnbow, and C.A. and Nan Howlett