The Music Academy of the West will host its Opening Night Gala — Honoring a Legend — Friday, June 14, celebrating Jerome Lowenthal’s 50th anniversary as an acclaimed faculty artist at the Music Academy.
The event also will mark the 72nd anniversary of the Summer School and Festival.
All proceeds will benefit the Academy’s full-scholarship program that brings 140 fellows from across the U.S. and worldwide to study and perform with world-class faculty and guest artists in Santa Barbara during the eight weeks.
Patrons will enjoy a 5 p.m. cocktail reception, 6 p.m. performance at Hahn Hall, and an al fresco dinner in the Miraflores courtyard that includes an encore performance.
The concert program, curated by the honoree, will feature Music Academy alumni pianists Micah McLaurin, Elizabeth Roe, Evan Shinners and Orion Weiss, guest artist pianist Ursula Oppens, and Lowenthal himself.
Lowenthal’s program will reflect on his illustrious career.
Co-chairs for the gala are former board member Michele Brustin, board member Stephanie Shuman and board Chair Warren Staley. Honorary chairs are Leatrice Luria and Kandy Luria-Budgor.
Gala committee members are Sharon Bradford, Paul Guido, Georgia Lynn, Maurice Singer, Diane Sullivan, Anne Towbes and Pam Valeski.
Lead supporters for the event are artist sponsors Stephanie and Fred Shuman, and dinner sponsors Mary Lynn and Warren Staley.
“This is such a special opportunity to honor one of the academy’s and Santa Barbara’s legendary artists. Jerry has given so much to our organization and to this community, and on June 14, 350 of his biggest fans get to say thank you,” said Brustin.
Jerome Lowenthal, born in 1932, has been a prominent presence in the international piano world for 60 years.
A student of legendary musicians — William Kapell, Eduard Steuermann and Alfred Cortot (with coachings from Arthur Rubinstein) — he has performed a repertoire that includes 63 different concerti, which he has performed with many of the world’s greatest conductors.
Lowenthal’s recordings, for RCA Victor, Columbia, Bridge and LPClassics, include canonical repertoire by Beethoven, Chopin and Tchaikovsky; and contemporary music by Rzewski, Rorem, and Rochberg, Chihara and Corigliano, and Messiaen and Michael Brown.
Lowenthal has performed in chamber music festivals and collaborated in concerts with violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Nathaniel Rosen, and pianists Ronit Amir, Ursula Oppens, Carmel Lowenthal, Vassily Primakov, and Michael Brown.
Lowenthal has served on the juries of the Cliburn, Tchaikovsky, Rubinstein, Cleveland, and Leeds piano competitions. As a teacher at The Juilliard School since 1991, he has been a mentor to some of the most internationally prominent young pianists.
The Music Academy’s gala partners include: Seasons Catering, Alexis Ireland Florals; Ambient Event Design; Town & Country Event Rentals; and La Tavola.
Seating is limited to 350. Ticket and tables prices include $500 individual tickets and sponsored tables of 10 with concert tickets at $5,000, $10,000, $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000.
There is also an opportunity to contribute to a Jerry Lowenthal Tribute Book: a half-page tribute is $250, full-page tribute is $500.
For table sponsorships and more information, contact Allie Rigonati, arigonati@musicacademy.org, 805-695-7929, or visit musicacademy.org/gala to buy tickets and tables online.
For more about the Music Academy of the West, visit musicacademy.org.
— Music Academy of the West.