On
Thursday, April 30, 2009 guests gathered in the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller
Center for a lively afternoon luncheon that benefited the music education
and community initiatives of The Weill Music Institute (WMI) at Carnegie
Hall. Highlights included an inspiring performance by the Songs
of Solomon student choir and a riveting interview of renowned opera
singer Jessye Norman by host Paula Zahn. The Perelman American Roots
program celebrated at the event is made possible by generous funding
from the Ronald O. Perelman Music Endowment Fund.
Laura H. Pomerantz was the honorary co-chair of the event and co-chairs
also included Mickey Beyer, Kim Blank, Katya Gorbatiouk, Leslie Maheras,
Debra G. Perelman, and Jennifer Zonis. Sponors included Mr. and
Mrs. Sid R. Bass; Bloomberg L.P.; Mark E. Kingdon; The William and
Phyllis Mack Family Foundation; Leslie Maheras and Tom Maheras; Leni
May and Peter May; Marybeth Petschek and Jay Petschek; and Sony Corporation
of America.
The Weill Music Institute creates broad-reaching music education and
community programs that play a central role in Carnegie Hall's
commitment to making great music accessible to as wide an audience
as possible. These programs are woven into the fabric of the Carnegie
Hall concert season, with opportunities for preschoolers to adults,
new listeners to emerging professional musicians, occurring at Carnegie
Hall as well as in schools and neighborhoods. With its access to
the world's greatest artists and latest technologies, The Weill
Music Institute is uniquely positioned to inspire the next generation
of music lovers, nurture tomorrow's musical talent, and shape
the evolution of musical learning itself. The Weill Music Institute's
school and community programs annually serve over 115,000 children,
students, teachers, parents, young music professionals, and adults
in New York City metropolitan area and across the United States,
as well as around the world through its online and distance learning
initiatives. The Weill Music Institute's school-based programs
alone reach over 50,000 New York City and area public school students
each year.
