First-Ever Virtual Gala Raises the Bar
By all accounts Rockport Music’s Virtual Gala 2020: Our Gift of Music to the Community was a huge success! Thanks to the generosity of many individuals and our corporate sponsors, the Virtual Gala raised a phenomenal $255,000 from over 170 patrons and friends to support Rockport Music’s mission to enrich lives through exceptional live musical performances and provide learning opportunities that deepen a love of music and connect artists and audiences.
Nearly 10,000 people from as far away as Australia and Korea, watched the gala program and the spectacular performance by Marc-André Hamelin.
Viewers were welcomed by Classical Artistic Director Barry Shiffman, who introduced the Gala’s featured performer–pianist and composer ~ Marc-André Hamelin, who performed his own work TOCCATA ON “L’HOMME ARMÉ,” a piece commissioned for the 2017 Cliburn Competition. The program celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Shalin Liu Performance Center, including words of gratitude from Board Chair Nina Doggett, President and CEO Tony Beadle, a poem written and read by Shalin Liu, comments from dedicated Rockport Music supporters who were instrumental to the hall’s construction, and highlights of our Education & Outreach program.
Through the power of technology, Rockport Chamber Music Festival Artistic Director Emeritus David Deveau and Artistic Director Barry Shiffman joined to play Johannes Brahms’ SONATA IN F MINOR FOR VIOLA AND PIANO, OP. 120, NO. 1 to the delight of chamber music lovers. The program concluded with Marc-André Hamelin’s performance of Franz Schubert’s PIANO SONATA IN B-FLAT MAJOR. Many viewers commented on the incredible birds-eye camera views of Marc-Andre Hamelin’s keystrokes, showing his revered technical prowess.
Our virtual gala could not have achieved this level of success without the support of so many but especially our Gala Chair Jeannie McIntyre, our anonymous donor who underwrote all costs of delivering the program, and the dedicated members of our gala committee: Dianne Anderson, Amanda Armstrong, Pamela Bynum, Robert Cassady, Susan Crown, Nina Doggett, Karen Hanson, Pat Petrou, Andree Robert, Kathy Skrabut, Naomi Stonberg, Linda Teahen and Margaret Ziering.
Our heartfelt thanks to those who attended and made tax-deductible contributions. For those unable to attend the Virtual Gala premiere on June 27th, the program is still available for viewing on the Rockport Music’s YouTube Channel.
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Thank you to our Gala Corporate Partners!
