A civic banquet honoring Seattle Symphony music director Gerard Schwarz, this year’s recipient of the Seattle-King County First Citizen Award, will be held from 6-10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel.

Schwarz, music director of the Seattle Symphony since 1985, is stepping down from that position at the end of the 2010-2011 season. Beginning with the 2011-2012 season, he will assume the lifetime title of conductor laureate.

Tickets are $125 each or $1,100 for table of 10 and reservations can be made at www.seattlefirstcitizen.org.

The event is presented by Seattle KingCounty REALTORS.