Vacation retreats, jewelry, art, theater tickets and an aerial view of the Pioneer Valley are just a few of the items that will be “Going for a Song” at the fundraiser.
Vacation retreats, jewelry, art, theater tickets and an aerial view of the Pioneer Valley are just a few of the items that will be auction off.Ladies, get out your glamorous metallic lame evening dresses and elbow-length white gloves; gentlemen, your white dinner jackets, high-rise midnight blue or black dress pants, wing collar formal shirt and bow tie.
If you have them - or can get them or some other 1930’s formal attire - you’re invited to wear them to The Community Music School of Springfield’s annual spring fundraiser and auction on Wednesday, April 11, the theme of which is The Jazz Age.
But remember: period dress is not required to attend.
Vacation retreats, jewelry, art, theater tickets and an aerial view of the Pioneer Valley are just a few of the items that will be “Going for a Song” at the fundraiser.
More than 50 items will be available on silent and live auctions at the event.
The 6-9 p.m. “Going for a Song” event will take place at Robyn Newhouse Hall, an elegant performance space within the 1933 Art Deco building at the school, located at 127 State St., Springfield. Refreshments will include hot and cold passed hors d'oeuvres and beer and wine provided by the Federal Restaurant and Bar of Agawam.
A 1930’s motif will be created in the performance hall reminiscent of the decade the building was built as the Springfield Safe Deposit and Trust Company.
The original 1930’s floor in the Robyn Newhouse Performance Hall is made of cream-tinted Viennese Travertine. Counter space and lower walls are made of Numidian marble giving rise to a soft cream of Anteor French limestone. There are 12 original bronze chandeliers and many original banking structures throughout, including safes and vaults. An original mural displayed at one end of the hall, called “The Modern Impulse Made Possible by Modern Banking,” was created by Carroll Bill of Boston and depicts an artist’s view of New York Harbor.
Black and white silent movies will be shown on the stage wall during the event.
To add to the fun, guests are invited to dress in period clothing.
“We’re excited about the night because it is such a fit for the room,” enthused Joan D. Paris, director of development and communications. “The whole feel of the Thirties will be brought back.”
Live music performances will be featured throughout the evening performed by The Community Music School’s Jazz Faculty Ensemble, featuring vocalist Ethel Lee, Ed Mari on saxophone, Ralph Whittle on piano, Wayne Roberts on bass and Jason Arnold on drums.
Chamber music will be performed by the Yamamoto Chamber Ensemble, a trio that practices and performs at the Community Music School of Springfield.
“This chamber ensemble exemplifies the significance of music instruction for all ages. These young women are dedicated and masterful in the study of their art, and even at their young ages, their performance is poised and professional,” Paris said.
The Ensemble will perform "Simple Gifts,” a Shaker song originally written and composed in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett. The song, adapted many times by different composers, was later adapted for an Aaron Copland score for Martha Graham's ballet Appalachian Spring and first performed in 1944.
The Linda Yamamoto Ensemble, honoring the memory of Springfield Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Linda Yamamoto, is comprised of students in grades 6-12 who audition to participate.
Members are Yamamoto Trio are: Alina Kolesnik, 16, of Chicopee; Tulsi Mali, 16, of East Longmeadow; and Isabella Moser, 14, of Springfield.
The ensemble coach is Katie Kennedy, a cellist on faculty at the music school.
The spring benefit will feature a special tribute to Community Music School of Springfield Board Members who have served the community and the mission for more than 10 years. The honorees are: John Ernst, Laurie Ernst, Ellen Freyman, Ronn Johnson, Gale Kirkwood, William Monks, Robyn Newhouse, Cantor Morton Shames, Steven Shatz and Leslie Shatz.
The annual “Going for a Song” event helps raise funds necessary for the music school to provide music scholarships to children and youth and give them a chance to enrich their lives with music.
The Community Music School of Springfield, founded in 1984, provides nearly $100,000 annually in direct financial aid to area families; more than $1 million was been awarded since the school opened.
“Our core mission is to make music accessible and equitable for all,” Paris said.
“It is never our wish to turn away any student due to a lack of funds, and this yearly event helps us focus on our mission to inspire people of all ages to begin or renew a lifelong journey into the joy of music and the arts,” commented Kathryn Kirby, event chair. “Each year dozens of music scholarships are provided to students who need financial assistance. CMSS is proud to keep the music alive for so many students through the generosity of donors.”
Tickets for the event may be purchased at the Community Music School of Springfield for $40 through March 28, after which they will be $50. Valet parking will be available for guests at the entrance of the Robyn Newhouse Hall.
For more information, call (413) 272-0071.