CLEVELAND, Ohio - You don't need to be a high roller to attend the Cleveland Orchestra's gala concert. In fact, this year, you don't even need to spend a dime.

As part of its ongoing 100th season celebration, the orchestra now plans to distribute 1,000 free tickets to its performance Oct. 7, the musical portion of an evening-long fundraiser supporting outreach and education efforts.

The gift is made possible through a partnership with the Cleveland Foundation, a longtime supporter of the orchestra and advocate for broad public access to the arts. Specially invited to attend will be Cleveland-based students in the foundation's Mastery Arts Initiative.

"The foundation's tremendous support inspires us daily in our commitment to fulfill the promise of this amazing community," said Andre Gremillet, executive director of the Cleveland Orchestra, in a written statement released Tuesday.

Here's how to get tickets:

Tickets will be released on a first-come, first-served basis beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. The orchestra recommends ordering tickets online, at clevelandorchestra.com, using the promo code "GALA" at checkout.

Orders also can be placed in person at the Severance Hall box office or by phone at 216-231-1111. There is a limit of two tickets per household. Tickets are expects to sell out quickly.

Unlike the galas of earlier years, the 2017 concert does not feature a star guest soloist. Instead, all the attention this year will be on the orchestra and music director Franz Welser-Most.

That's not to say the program isn't showy. On the contrary. Titled, "A Musical Journey Through Italy," the program is stocked with popular works intended in part to display the ensemble's virtuosity.

Listen for Respighi's "The Birds" and Tchaikovsky's "Capriccio Italien" as well as ballet music from Verdi's opera "Don Carlo," Strauss's "The Carnival of Venice," and "Roses from the South" by Johann Strauss, Jr.

This is not the first time the Cleveland Foundation has partnered with the orchestra on a free-ticket event.

In 2014, during the foundation's own centennial, it supported the release of 15,000 free tickets to a Cleveland Orchestra concert at Blossom Music Center. The orchestra itself also offers free tickets on an ongoing basis through its "Under 18s Free" program.

"They were a wonderful partner during our centennial celebration ...," said foundation president Ronn Richard, "and now we're delighted to be able to help the orchestra celebrate [theirs]."