WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The love of music was on full display on Tuesday at Palm Beach Symphony’s 7th annual holiday luncheon. Hundreds gathered to support the symphony and its many programs to help music students.

The Symphony donated 76 instruments and accessories to the school music programs at Clewiston Middle School, Lake Worth High School and The Conservatory School.

Lake Worth High School Director of Bands Dr. Tiffany Cox was honored as Palm Beach Symphony’s 2023 Instrumental Music Teacher of the Year.

She says music teaches so much more than just music.

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“For a lot of students music is an escape,” says Dr. Tiffany Cox. “There’s a lot of testing in schools now and there’s a lot of stress throughout the day. Any kind of artistic outlet is so crucial for our students. It gets them off their phones for a little bit and gets them interacting with people around them.”

Kaleb Smith is a 5th grader at The Conservatory School. He received a viola.

“My dream would be to play all music all pieces and push my music skills to their truest potential,” Kaleb says.

The Symphony’s “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert will air later this month on CBS12 News.