Winter Wonderful 2014

Benenfiting the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music of the University of Miami

The Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music of the University of Miami welcomed over 400 long-time patrons and guests to Winter Wonderful, the school’s annual gala holiday dinner held at the J.W. Marriott Marquis.

The proceeds from Winter Wonderful support music scholarships and community outreach programs at the Frost School of Music that inspire and encourage at-risk youth to succeed in school and in life. This year the event grossed a record $1.1 million.

Some of the highlights of the Winter Wonderful evening included a sparkling cocktail reception, a sumptuous three-course holiday dinner and joyous musical performances. The Frost Chorale, Symphonic Choir, Cantilena Women’s Choir and Maelstrom Men’s Choir performed holiday carols and exclusive arrangements with the Frost Holiday Orchestra.

The evening also featured festive presentations by Frost School freshman music outreach mentors and their mentees on trombone and viola. The event culminated in a surprise announcement of a $1 million endowment gift from the school’s benefactors Dr. Phillip Frost and Patricia Frost to name the burgeoning music outreach program in honor of outgoing University of Miami President, Donna E. Shalala.

After the announcement, Frost School of Music’s Dean Shelton G. Berg said, “Thank you Phillip and Patricia from the bottom of our hearts. The newly named Donna E. Shalala MusicReach Program at the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music will continue to grow and thrive, thanks to your incredible generosity.”

Also at this year’s event, Dean Berg presented the 2014 Frost Legacy Award Award to Swanee and Paul J. DiMare, in honor of their inspiring support of the Frost School of Music and other schools and programs at the University of Miami, and other notable charitable organizations throughout the region. Paul DiMare is the president of DiMare Brothers, Inc., and DiMare Homestead, Inc., an organization of growers, packers and shippers of whole fresh fruits and vegetables. Paul is a member of the University’s Board of Trustees and the DiMares are vice chairs of Momentum2: The Breakthrough Campaign for the University of Miami. Swanee DiMare is on the boards of numerous national charities and is a tireless advocate for the performing arts and other important community initiatives. The Association of Fundraising Professionals also honored Swanee and Paul DiMare recently with the Outstanding Philanthropists Award in recognition of their community-wide and far-reaching philanthropy.

Gala sponsors included Diamond Circle patrons Lynda and Michael Gordon the Osiason Educational Foundation; Platinum Circle Donors the Cobb Family Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Phillip T. George, Patti and Allan Herbert, Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, Inc., Robert and Judi Prokop Newman, and Gold Circle Donors The Alma Jennings Foundation, Dany Garcia Rienzi, Sergio M. Gonzalez, Drs. Roger and Virginia Medel, The Miami Salon Group, UM President Donna E. Shalala, the Tao Jones Charitable Foundation, Inc. and Jim Tillett and Mary Beth Burke.

We invite all ardent patrons of the arts in South Florida to join us at the next Winter Wonderful on December 6, 2015, a holiday gala with treasured music and new memories. For more information or to order gala tickets or tables online or by telephone, visit www.Winter-Wonderful.com, call 305-284-6486 or email EventsManagement@Miami.edu.