Winter Wonderful 2015
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 patrons and guests to Winter Wonderful, the school’s annual gala holiday dinner at the J.W. Marriott Marquis.
The proceeds from Winter Wonderful support music scholarships and the Donna E. Shalala MusicReach Program at the Frost School of Music, inspiring and encouraging local youth in South Florida to succeed in school and in life.
Highlights of the Winter Wonderful evening included a sparkling cocktail reception, a sumptuous three-course holiday dinner and joyous musical performances. The Frost Chorale, Frost Cantilena, Frost Maelstrom and Frost Choral Union were accompanied with beautiful holiday arrangements featuring the Frost Holiday Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Karen Kennedy, program director for Choral Studies. The evening also featured a festive presentation by a Shalala MusicReach mentor Michael Newell and two of his mentees.
At this year’s event, Dean Berg presented the 2015 Frost Legacy Award to Debra and Dennis Scholl, in recognition of their advancement of the cultural arts landscape, both regionally and internationally. They are founding chairs of the Guggenheim Photography Committee, and they have served on the Tate American Acquisition Committee, and an acquisition committee for the new Perez Art Museum Miami, where they have donated 300 works of contemporary art from their personal collection. Dennis recently stepped down as Vice President of Arts for the $2.5 billion Knight Foundation, where over the last six years he has overseen funding of over $150 million to arts organizations across America. Debra and Dennis are avid music lovers and often attend events that feature Frost School of Music students and faculty.
Frost School of Music’s Dean Shelton G. Berg said, “I am very honored to have extended gratitude to Debra and Dennis Scholl on behalf of countless people whose lives they have enhanced.”
Winter Wonderful 2015 coincided with the first night of Chanukah. To commemorate, Dr. Julio Frenk, President of the University of Miami, and his wife Dr. Felicia Knaul participated in a special candle lighting, accompanied by a traditional blessing sung by Rabbi Mark H. Kula. The musical evening wrapped up with gourmet latkes/pancakes, mini doughnuts and hot chocolate in a cheerful post-event reception.
Gala sponsors included Diamond Circle patrons Lynda and Michael Gordon, and the Osiason Educational Foundation; Platinum Circle Donors Ambassadors Sue and Chuck Cobb, Joseph Deitch, Dr. and Mrs. Phillip T. George, Patti and Allan Herbert, Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services, Inc., Robert and Judi Prokop Newman, Marta and Karl Wulf; and Gold Circle Donors The Corrigan Fine Group, Paul J. DiMare Foundation, UM President Julio Frenk, Sergio M. Gonzalez, The Alma Jennings Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, D. Richard and Virginia Mead, Drs. Roger and Virginia Medel, and Grace Wang MD and Steve Pabalan MD.
We invite all ardent patrons of the arts in South Florida to join us at the next Winter Wonderful on December 4, 2016, 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.
