Winter Wonderful Gala 2018

Benefiting the Donna E. Shalala MusicReach Program

Dr. and Mrs. Phillip and Patricia Frost, along with over 400 of South Florida’s most philanthropic leaders and guests, enjoyed a festive, semi-formal evening of holiday carols, candlelight, and Hanukkah celebration at the Frost School of Music’s Winter Wonderful benefit at the J.W. Marriott Marquis. Proceeds from this distinctive annual event support the Frost School of Music’s Donna E. Shalala MusicReach Program, using music as a motivating tool to positively impact the lives of nearly one thousand underserved children in our community.

UM President Julio Frenk and Dean Shelton G. Berg of the highly-acclaimed Frost School of Music presented the 2018 Frost Legacy Award to longtime patrons and supporters of Winter Wonderful, Patti and Allan Herbert. The Herbert’s were recognized for their philanthropic contributions to the arts, their commitment to the health and wellness of the community, and their generous support to the Frost School of Music.

The Herbert’s are South Florida pioneers who met and fell in love while attending the University of Miami in the 1950s. In 2004, they established an endowment for the “Love Bridge” outside the University’s Wellness Center, with proceeds from the sale of personalized bricks on the bridge supporting the ’Canes Health Assessment and Motivation Program (CHAMP) Endowment established by the couple. In 2008, the Herbert’s gifted $8 million to name The Patti and Allan Herbert Wellness Center on UM’s Coral Gables campus. The Herbert’s, who are longtime supporters of Miami’s arts community, gave $500,000 in 2012 to the Frost School of Music to create the Patti and Allan Herbert Endowed MusicReach Student Support Fund.  In 2017, they gifted over $1 million to rename and endow the Patti and Allan Herbert Frost School of Music Program at Salzburg. Patti and Allan also renovated the historic art deco Richmond Hotel in Miami Beach, which they continue to own and operate. Mr. Herbert serves on UM’s Board of Trustees and the Frost School of Music’s Board of Advisors.

Entering an enchanted ballroom with hues of silver, snow and ice, friends and guests of Winter Wonderful enjoyed a cocktail reception accented by sounds from the Winter Wonderful Jazz Combo. This was followed by an elegant three-course dinner and show featuring holiday songs from around the globe performed by over 150 FROST music students. Ensembles included the Frost Choral Union and Holiday Orchestra, Frost Chorale, Frost Herald Trumpeters, Symphonic Choir, Women’s Choir, Frost Winter Wind Ensemble, Frost Holiday Carolers, and the Stamps String Quartet. Selections by pianist Shelly Berg, and mezzo-soprano and Frost faculty Robynne Redmon, were also featured. Guests enjoyed interactive group sing-alongs and a heartwarming musical presentation by MusicReach mentors and their young mentees. President Frenk’s wife, Dr. Felicia Knaul, along with UM Sr. Vice Provost Dr. Bill Green, commemorated the first night of Hanukkah with a menorah candle lighting ceremony celebrated by all.

Performances for Winter Wonderful were presented by Music Director Corin Overland, Frost assistant professor of professional practice, choral studies and music education; and Jami Lercher and Wes Stoner, Frost Choral Program Teaching Assistants.

Gala sponsors include Platinum Circle patrons Lynda Gordon and family; Gold Circle donors Patti and Allan Herbert; Silver Circle donors The Miller Family, and Robert and Judi Prokop Newman; and Bronze Circle donors The Honorable John E. Bush and Mrs. Bush, Ambassadors Sue and Chuck Cobb, Swanee and Paul DiMare, Ladenburg Thalman Financial Services, Inc., Donna E. Shalala, Skanska USA Building, Inc., and Grace Wang, M.D. and Steve Pabalan, M.D. Also attending were U.S. Congressman Carlos Curbelo and Mrs. Curbelo, and Florida Mayor Carlos A. Giménez.

The Frost School invites all ardent patrons of the arts in South Florida to save the date for next year’s Winter Wonderful Frost Holiday Dinner in December 2019. For more information, please visit winterwonderful.com. To order gala tickets or tables, please call 305-284-9766 or email EventsManagement@Miami.edu.