Rotary Club of West Hartford Donates to Gifts of Music

Published On: January 23, 2021Categories: Lifestyle, Reader Contributed, Schools

Members of the Rotary Club of West Hartford present a $5,915 donation from its Jazz Brunch fundraiser to the Gifts of Music program. From left: Haig Shahverdian, Gifts of Music music liaison; Ann Leabman, Jazz Brunch committee member; West Hartford Rotary President Kyle Egress; and Tony Rodriguez, Jazz Brunch co-chair. Missing from photo: Jazz Brunch Co-Chair Jim Kilian. Photo courtesy of Jim Kilian.

Proceeds from the Rotary Club’s Jazz Brunch will support gifted and talented West Hartford Public Schools students in need, and Rotary has announced that its 2021 Jazz Brunch fundraiser will be held Nov. 7 at Artisan at the DELAMAR Hotel.

Submitted

To support music education for West Hartford Public School students, the Rotary Club of West Hartford has donated $5,915 to the town’s Gifts of Music program.

The funds, raised during West Hartford Rotary’s successful 2019 Jazz Brunch featuring Hall High alumnus and renowned saxophonist Joel Frahm, will support instruments and lessons for music students in the West Hartford Public Schools system.

“The Rotary Club of West Hartford has donated over $40,000 to Gifts of Music through the proceeds of the Annual Jazz Brunch,” said Haig Shahverdian, Music Liaison, Gifts of Music. “The generosity and support of Rotary has provided private lessons, supervised after school programs and supported the Sizzlin’ Suzuki Summer Camp for students with financial challenges. During the pandemic, lessons have continued virtually with the hope that in the new school year students will once again receive lessons in person. Joel Frahm is one of the many musicians who have benefitted from the exceptional musical experiences offered in the West Hartford Public Schools. He spoke eloquently at the 2019 Jazz Brunch about the importance of his music education in the West Hartford Public Schools.” 

While COVID-19 canceled West Hartford Rotary’s popular 2020 Jazz Brunch fundraiser, the club has scheduled its 2021 Jazz Brunch for Nov. 7. To be again held at Artisan at the DELAMAR, the event will feature internationally acclaimed jazz clarinetist and saxophonist Ken Peplowski.

Details and ticket information for the Nov. 7 Jazz Brunch will be announced in August.

About the Rotary Club of West Hartford

Founded in 1952, the Rotary Club of West Hartford helps address today’s greater community and global social concerns based on Rotary International’s trademark “service over self” philosophy. The club’s members, who represent a diverse cross section of the town’s businesses and community organizations, raise thousands of dollars for local charities and international health initiatives, provide study abroad grands, host exchange students, sponsor a middle school writing project, give dictionaries to the town’s third graders, support music students and much more. Learn more at westhartfordrotary.org or contact [email protected].

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