The Frost School of Music celebrated its Winter Wonderful fundraising gala, regaling 325 supporters at Miami’s JW Marriott Marquis with soaring holiday music from Frost students, and honoring donors Edward P. and Sasha Bass with the Frost Legacy Award.

The annual event benefits the Donna E. Shalala MusicReach program, a major Frost community outreach effort that fosters the musical talent and educational prospects of Miami-Dade youth, as well as Frost’s music scholarship fund.

MusicReach Director Joseph Burleson said Winter Wonderful was his program’s largest source of funding, and noted that Frost Dean Shelton G. Berg enthusiastic support had expanded it from 16 to 1500 elementary to high school students in under-resourced communities each week. They are mentored by Frost students, who learn teaching and community engagement skills by fostering young people’s musical talent and educational ambition.

“Arts mentorship is a big component of our program, but it goes far beyond that,” said Burleson. “MusicReach is about creating empowered individuals who bring the rhythm of success into all aspects of their lives… whether through music or whatever they choose to be passionate about. That is a powerful statement about Frost and its commitment to the community.”

Music performances created a warm, festive atmosphere. UM President Julio Frenk saluted Frost’s importance to the University as both institutions approach their centenary. “Music is in the DNA of the University of Miami,” said Frenk. “We aspire to be a beacon for creativity in Miami and all over the world.”

Dean Berg thanked donors and the Frost community for their dedication to their art form. “Music soothes us in difficult times and elevates us in joyous occasions like this one,” he said. He praised Legacy Award recipients Edward and Sasha Bass, major philanthropists, who have become significant donors to Frost. “Your generous commitment to finding ways to expand access to the arts is widely felt,” said Dean Berg, thanking them “for all you do for our community and artists everywhere.”

Edward Bass responded with a genial speech describing his lifelong love of music, from a 1962 high school trip to hear Ray Charles to founding Fort Worth’s renowned jazz club Caravan of Dreams (where Dean Berg performed) and the Bass Performance Hall. “That’s my story of how to make beautiful music without musical talent,” Bass said. “What I can do with music is love it and enhance the musical experience. The Frost School is the best, and Sasha and I are so proud to be a part of it.”

Gold Sponsor

Allan M. Herbert

Silver Sponsors

MSkanska USA
Betsy Sherman
Joseph Deitch
Miller Family Foundation
Skanska USA
Sherman Family Foundation

Bronze Sponsorship

The Honorable John E. Bush and Columba Bush
Ambassador Sue and Chuck Cobb
Bass, Berkowitz and Havenick Families
Karen and Jonathan Fryd
Dorothy and Henry Norton
Hazel Rosen
Jacquie Simkin
Miller Family Foundation
Joseph Deitch