Toby Perlman and Itzhak Perlman celebrated their music school’s 20th anniversary at The Perlman Music Program’s (PMP) annual summer gala on Saturday, August 2, 2014. Over 250 guests attended the evening, which was held at Annette and Ian Cumming’s East Hampton estate and was co-chaired by PMP Board President Morgan Stark and Sidney Stark.
During the event, a surprise tribute was held for Toby and Itzhak and PMP Board President Morgan Stark thanked the entire PMP board of directors in attendance, including Randall Blank, Jay Dweck,Vicki Kellogg, Mark Miller, and Laura Sloate. Thanks to the generosity of numerous guests throughout the evening, the benefit raised over $500,000 to support PMP and their mission to educate the next generation of classical musicians.
The highlight of the evening was performances by Perlman’s young students, who represented 9 countries and 13 states, in residence at PMP’s Shelter Island campus for the summer. 39 classical string musicians ages 12 through 18 enthralled guests with a phenomenal performance and the PMP Chorus, comprised of students, gallows, community members and faculty took listeners on a journey through Bach, Rossini, Morley and Elgar. Maestro Patrick Romano led the chorus and members included both Toby and Itzhak Perlman. Following the vocal performance, the PMP String Orchestra took the stage.
Following the concert, event attendees enjoyed a delicious dinner from Debbie Gephert Catering and wine from the Cummings’ vineyards, Pine Ridge and Archery Summit. Guests also took part in a silent auction, which included offerings from Bayberry Nursery, Café Boulud Palm Beach, The Frick Collection, Kamalame Cay, the Maidstone, Palm Beach Yacht Club and the Stowe Mountain Resort.
For more information on PMP, visit www.perlmanmusicprogram.org.