On August 14th and August 15th, The Perlman Music Program celebrated its 15th Anniversary with two special evenings honoring the Program’s decade and a half of accomplishments. The 15th Anniversary Benefit Celebration Weekend began on Friday, August 14th, with the annual Tutti Suonare concert, a public event held at the historic Old Whalers Church in Sag Harbor, NY.

The concert featured Chamber Music Workshop young artists performing with PMP’s world-class teaching artists including Paul Katz, Merry Peckham, Itzhak Perlman, Roger Tapping, Don Weilerstein, and Vivian Hornik Weilerstein. The outstanding performance was enjoyed by many of our long-time patrons and donors, along with the local East End community members who have been so welcoming and supportive to the Program for the past decade and a half. Among the selections performed were Schubert’s Quintet in C Major D. 956, Brahms’ Sextet in G Major, Mozart’s Piano Quartet in G Minor, K. 478, and a finale of Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F Minor.

The celebration continued the following evening, Saturday, August 15th, with a Benefit Concert and Dinner held at the beautiful waterfront home of Susan Dusenberry in North Haven. The Celebration Concert featured The Perlman Master Singers performing Mozart’s Requiem, and a chamber music performance of Mendelssohn’s String Octet in E flat Major, Op. 20 by Itzhak Perlman and returning alumni. Also, under the baton of Maestro Itzhak Perlman, The Perlman Music Program String Orchestra performed Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C Major, and debuted John Williams’ piece Air and Simple Gifts composed for the 2009 Presidential Inauguration and specially arranged for PMP’s momentous occasion by the composer himself. Finally, during dessert, faculty members D. Edward Davis, Merry Peckham, Itzhak Perlman, Patrick Romano, and Ben Russell presented a special Doo-Wop performance of Billy Joel’s “For the Longest Time.”

Following dinner, Program Director Toby Perlman and President of the Board Garett Albert recognized the outstanding generosity, dedication, and leadership of those who helped the Program meet this important milestone. Most notably, the Program honored Toby and Itzhak Perlman, whose tireless dedication has shaped a new generation of classical music leaders.

Guests included Elaine and Hirschel Abelson, Nancy and Ben Achenbach, Eleanor and Garett Albert, Arlene and Alan Alda, Cally and Tom Aldrich, Alec Baldwin, Carol Bell, Christine and Randall Blank, Helen and Murray Charash, Brooke and Peter Cohen, Christina and David deForest Keys, Nell Dodge, Susan Dusenberry, Shoshana and Jay Dweck, Andre Elkon, Navah and Robert Frost, Dorian and Gary Fuhrman, Beau Gage, Barbara Gladstone, Laura Grenning, Nora Hegarty and Jim Grimes, Jo Carole Lauder, Gayle and Gerald Lennard, Alex Eames and Chris Leonard, Eve France and Howard Maisel, Teresa McGayhey, Eilene and Ronald Oehl, Hannah Pakula, Louis Perlman, Toby and Itzhak Perlman, Ellen and Alain Roizen, Joanna and Daniel Rose, Carol and Lawrence Saper, Barbara and Robert Schwartz, David Seeler, Jennifer and Albert Sibony, Robert Siegel, Laura Sloate, Sidney and Morgan Stark, Lorraine and Dick Strine, Ellen and Stephen Thomas, Margaret and Jay Treadwell, Svetlana and Herbert Wachtell, Jeanette Sarkisian and Paul Wagner, and Hilary and Eric Woodward.

This celebratory weekend brought together current students, alumni, and faculty with past honorees and donors who have helped the Program grow and flourish. To commemorate this remarkable time, we published a 15th Anniversary Benefit Celebration Journal. This journal included special articles on the Program, student and alumni testimonials, and statements of support and advertisements from the Program’s loyal patrons, fellow community leaders, and local businesses.

It was not only a time to celebrate 15 years of accomplishments, but it was also a time to look ahead with excitement for the future. We are honored to have shared this weekend of recognition and wonderful music-making with all of those who have made The Perlman Music Program’s achievements possible.

This celebratory weekend was a tremendous success and raised over $300,000 for The Perlman Music Program’s Annual Fund, which helps maintain the Program’s prestigious faculty and idyllic campus on Shelter Island. This evening was truly spectacular for all who attended.

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