Last Chance: 'Arts Matter' Benefit to Showcase Faculty

Musical performances and art exhibits by Madison school faculty members are scheduled to be showcased Wednesday evening in an annual benefit for the school music and art departments.

The Madison Music Association and the Madison Arts & Cultural Alliance's 11th Annual “The Arts Matter” Concert and Art Exhibit starts at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium, according to an announcement for the event.

Jazz pianist and co-founder of the event Jerry Vezza will host the benefit, while faculty performances and exhibitions include Jaclyn Altieri, Russ Batsch, Kiera Casper, Caryn Elefante, Kathleen Derbyshire, Kate Gebstaedt, Adriana Marallo, Paul Mueller, Leo Sabatino, Michael Silvestri, Stacy Snider, Kathleen Wallace, Laurie Quinlan, Loreto Angulo-Pizarro, Shannon Harris, John LaPierre, Susan Menk, Kathy Rodgers and Michael Watson.

“This event has been successful over the past ten years, raising close to $20,000 for the music and art programs in the district," said George Leszcuk, President of the Madison Music Association. "In this difficult economic climate, school budgets are under strain, and alternate funding is essential to help support these valuable programs."

Deborah Starker, president of the Madison Arts & Cultural Alliance, said the organization is always pleased to build an alliance of students, parents, educators and support organizations.

The Madison Music Association purchases instruments and equipment, subsidizes travel expenses for district performing arts groups and supervises the Summer Music Program.

Recent purchases by the Madison Music Association include a Musser marimba for Madison High School, Orff instruments for Kings Road School, ukuleles for Central Avenue School, mp3 players for Torey J Sabatini School,  and a sousaphone and two covers for the Madison High School Marching Dodgers marching band. The purchase of a new piano for the Kings Road School general music classroom is planned for late spring 2012.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. To reserve tickets, call N. Glynn at 973-822-0997 or email madisonschoolconcerts@gmail.com. Donated musical instruments are also welcomed.