(Courtesy of JCC Thurnauer School of Music) The JCC Thurnauer School of Music at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades is celebrating 34 years of magnificent music making on Sunday, February 11, 4-6 p.m., at the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack at its annual “Gift of Music” Gala Benefit Concert. The concert will feature mezzo-soprano Naomi Louisa O’Connell, winner of the Concert Artists Guild Competition, and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the school’s Music Discovery Partnership with the Englewood Public School District and the centennial of Leonard Bernstein, legendary composer, conductor, educator and humanitarian. The music school will honor Tracey Blumberg with the Gift of Music Visionary Award for her commitment and vision in support of the school and its mission.
The goal of the concert each year is to celebrate the school’s remarkable achievements, while raising critical scholarship funds for children in our community who wish to study music, but whose families lack the financial resources. Thurnauer prides itself on bringing a world-class conservatory education to the community at large and recognizes how a specialized education of this kind can inspire and shape lives. The talented musicians who are part of the Music Discover Partnership are living examples of what this means, and they will showcase their achievements as they perform in chorus, orchestra and ensembles to mark a major musical collaboration that is celebrating 20 years of inspired music making.
The Gift of Music, established by Drs. Joan and Alan Handler, serves as the school’s major fundraising event and primary source of scholarship assistance for those who cannot afford the cost of tuition. The concert also provides great inspiration to students and the music school community, as world-renowned artists generously participate and donate their time and talent to this cause.
For more information on the concert or to learn about journal and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.jccotp.org/gom or contact Nina Bachrach at [email protected], or call 201-408-1406. Cost is $25 students; $50 adults; $90 premiere seating and $250 VIP (VIP includes premiere seating and pre- and post-concert meet-the-artists receptions).
