The Kaufman Music Center honored student musicianship at Merkin Hall for their 2024 Spring Gala on June 4.
Funds from the gala support the Kaufman Music Center in various ways, including scholarships for music students at the Special Music and Lucy Moses Schools, sponsorship for Artists-in-Residence and performances at Merkin Hall. The center is dedicated to providing intensive, immersive and musically-focused education without financial barriers.
The event was hosted by actor Lawrence Gilliard Jr., a trained classical clarinetist. Gilliard Jr. spoke about his own experiences with music education at Baltimore School for the Arts and Julliard, which he said “kept him away” from involvement in narcotics dealings that happened in his hometown.
Host Lawrence Gilliard Jr. (Courtesy of Shore Fire Media)
“I learned about dedication, hard work, all the things that it takes to reach success and to achieve your goals,” Gilliard Jr. said.
The program began with performances by Special Music School students from grades first to twelfth on violin, piano, and flute. Repertoire included music from Henryk Wieniawski, Emil Kronke, Frédéric Chopin, Moritz Moszkowski and Pablo de Sarasate.
Students spoke about their experiences at the Special Music School and about the importance of music in their lives. Violinists and twelfth grade students Rebecca Beato and Ana Isabella España spoke about their involvement in writing and illustrating the children’s book “Who is Florence Price?” with the Special Music School.
España was featured on the Kelly Clarkson Show in 2022 to discuss the book and perform a piece composed by Price, who was the first Black woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer and have a composition played by a major orchestra.
Beato said she had the opportunity to play with the Philadelphia Orchestra because of her involvement with the book.
The event also featured the 2023-24 Artist-in-Residence Angélica Negrón, who writes soundscapes for living plants. On display at the gala was the “Blooming Artifacts” installation Negrón created with botanical artist Sophie Parker, which featured living plants from Puerto Rico, where Negrón was born.
Composer and Kaufman Music Center Artist-in-Residence Angélica Negrón with host Lawrence Gilliard Jr. (Courtesy of Shore Fire Media)
“I love finding music in unexpected places,” Negrón said.
In January, Negrón curated a performance with music from Parker’s playable plant sculptures along with other toys and electronics, which students from the Special Music School had the opportunity to perform in.
“They’re incredible instrumentalists, but also really creative,” Negrón said of the Special Music School students.
The gala included remarks from Board of Trustees Chair Orli Shaham, Executive Director Kate Sheeran and honoree David Frost, a 25-time Grammy Award-winning producer and sound engineer, celebrated for his work with the center and his commitment to supporting music education.
Soprano Latonia Moore with pianist Evan Rees. (Courtesy of Shore Fire Media)
In honor of Frost, three-time Grammy Award-winning soprano Latonia Moore reprised her role as Serena and performed “My Man’s Gone Now” from “Gershwin: Porgy and Bess,” a 2020 Metropolitan Opera production which won Best Opera Recording at the 2020 Grammys, which Frost produced.
Pianist and Chair, Kaufman Music Center Board of Trustees Orli Shaham with Gala Honoree David Frost. (Courtesy of Shore Fire Media)
Not only has Frost worked on various projects with the Kaufman Music Center as a producer and sound engineer, he’s also a Special Music School parent.
“What is offered [at Kaufman Music Center] is music education at every level, whether one becomes a professional musician or just learns to love music and understand that this knowledge changes one’s life,” Frost said in a speech at the gala. “The Kaufman Music Center provides an immensely important role in educating our kids and fills an important gap that so many of our public schools are currently failing to.”
