Dear Members of the Community,

The Perlman Music Program is thrilled to be celebrating its 15th Anniversary this year, an achievement we could not have reached without your generous and extraordinary support since the beginning of the Program. Fifteen years is an achievement for any cultural organization, but because PMP’s mission is to train the next generation of classical music leaders, it is only the beginning of the Program’s impact. Our oldest graduates are only now entering the professional world, leading ensembles, taking top positions in cultural organizations, and teaching the next generation. As our graduates take on these leadership roles, the impact of our mission grows exponentially.

We celebrated these accomplishments at our 15th Anniversary Benefit Celebration Weekend this past August. This weekend commemorated the Program’s stellar music-making as well as the hard work and tremendous accomplishments of Toby and Itzhak Perlman, the Program’s founders. Furthermore, we recognized our generous patrons who helped make PMP the success it is.

It is my great pleasure to report that our fundraising efforts are keeping up with our musical growth and expansion. In FY 2009, we raised almost $4 million to support our musical and educational mission to provide training to young, gifted musicians. Our Endowment fund has increased to almost $4 million, an effort launched in 2007 by our visionary and program advocate, Jim Clark. It is clear that the Perlmans’ special kind of music-making and educational approach will continue for generations to come. The outpouring of support we receive from you is a testament to the great work we do.

This past year heralded several significant gifts and exciting new initiatives. Most prominent among these was the creation of a new building on our Shelter Island campus. Vice President of the Board, Morgan Stark, and his wife Sidney, in partnership with Ian and Annette Cumming, joined together to create the Cumming Stires-Stark Practice Facility, a vibrant practice and living space for our students and faculty. This 2,052 square foot building contains eight practice rooms, a large chamber music studio, and two staff living quarters. The building’s practice rooms have been sound-proofed using state of the art construction techniques and materials to provide an ideal acoustic environment for practicing.

Our membership continues to grow, and many of our members give us their voice of support at our summertime concerts on Shelter Island and at out yearlong concerts at The Met Museum and Neue Galerie New York.

With the tireless leadership of our Co-Chair and Violin Faculty, Itzhak Perlman, our second annual Wine Auction was held in January at Per Se. In the past two years, we have raised over $900,000 for this effort. In February, Jim Clark and his wife, Kristy Hinze, hosted an intimate concert and dinner at their home in Palm Beach, Florida. A historic concert was held at Carnegie Hall on March 31st where Emanuel Ax, Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman performed together in a once-in-a-lifetime chamber music recital. Following the concert, a Benefit Dinner was held at Daniel, where Emanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma were honored with the 3rd Annual Art Makes Music Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts. All of these events help us continue to expand our family of generous supporters.

The Perlman Music Program is a school where every gift counts. We count on you each and every year, and we couldn’t achieve fifteen years of accomplishments without your help. On behalf of our devoted and talented team, including Mandy Jacobs, Adam Meyer and Sherry Peregrin, I am pleased and proud to acknowledge each of the individuals, families, and foundations who have given so much, in our Honor Roll of Donors. On behalf of all of the young musicians whose talent flourishes because of you, it is my privilege to simply say, thank you.

Maureen M. Nash
Director of Development

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