Music Conservatory of Westchester to Present Annual Performathon Fundraiser Concert Virtually

At the Music Conservatory of Westchester, students learn much more than how to play music; the White Plains-based nonprofit music school also teaches the importance of community. On Saturday, December 12, the Music Conservatory will hold its annual Performathon fundraiser, featuring virtual student performances to help support the nonprofit music school’s Scholarship Program.

Typically, Performathon is an all-day community event brought to life by parent and student volunteers, local vendors and food establishments, donors and sponsors, and the Conservatory’s faculty and staff. This year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Conservatory decided to bring the experience online.

“We went online out of necessity when the pandemic began, but discovered there are valuable benefits to online learning and performance,” Executive Director Jean Newton said. “It’s so important for students to share their musical accomplishments, and in the virtual world there are no geographic boundaries!”

As a virtual event, the Conservatory is gathering performances recorded by its students and creating an interactive online musical experience for viewers. The performances will be streamed on the Music Conservatory of Westchester’s YouTube channel starting at 5pm on Saturday, December 12. Staff will post live on the school’s Facebook (@MusicConservatoryofWestchester), Instagram (@MusicConservatory), and Twitter (@ConservMusic) accounts during the performances.

Conservatory students of all ages will take to the screens to perform on a variety of instruments and styles of music. Classical, jazz, rock, pop, and musical theatre will be represented in Performathon as students proudly play for their family and friends over computer screens and televisions.

The music school presented a series of Concerts for the Community in May 2020 featuring recorded performances by students, faculty, alumni, and Broadway star friends of the Conservatory to share the joy of music to the public during the pandemic. Additionally, a virtual faculty concert celebrating works by African-American composers debuted in July 2020. These online musical events are available on the Conservatory’s YouTube channel.

For nearly 20 years, the Music Conservatory of Westchester has held this event as a fun way to get its student community involved in raising funds for the school, in order to provide the extraordinary benefits of music to all in our community. The Conservatory’s Scholarship Program makes it possible for financially qualifying students to study at the school who might not otherwise have that opportunity.

This year’s virtual Performathon will include dinner and a show! The school has partnered with Eat4Art, a platform created during the Covid-19 pandemic to connect the arts and food together on a global scale. Eat4Art will be giving double donations between now and Christmas! Give the gift of music today by donating here: https://app.mobilecause.com/e/xvva3w?vid=dblhj

“Performathon brings together our musical community to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and to support our mission,” Conservatory Development Officer Aishling Quinn said. “This year’s virtual Performathon provides an increased opportunity for a larger audience compared to previous school fundraising events – and their support will be critically important during this challenging time.”

The Music Conservatory of Westchester raises funds every year to support its Scholarship Program, its Music Therapy Institute for children and adults with disabilities, and its Healing Our Heroes Program for military veterans.

For more information about Performathon, please visit https://musicconservatory.org/performathon/

Donations to the Music Conservatory of Westchester are also accepted here: https://musicconservatory.org/support-us/donate-now/

The Music Conservatory of Westchester was founded in 1929 by a group of community members and renowned artists. Today, the Conservatory provides the extraordinary benefits of music to all in our community, from absolute beginners to advanced artists, with online and in-person one-on-one instruction, performing ensembles, theory, early childhood classes, lifelong learning for adults, and free community performances, serving more than 3,000 students each year from 4 months to over 80 years old. As a not-for-profit organization, the Conservatory is dedicated to serving the community and reaching out to those who would not otherwise have access. Our Scholarship Program provides tuition assistance for financially deserving students. The Music Therapy Institute brings music into the lives of 2,000 children and adults with disabilities each year through on-site and outreach programs. Healing Our Heroes offers military veterans a specialized music therapy program to help with recovery after their service. The Conservatory has inspired generations of students, and contributed to a vibrant musical life in the county, the region, and beyond. www.musicconservatory.org

About Music Conservatory of Westchester

Founded in 1929, the Conservatory is a 501(c) 3 organization that provides quality music education for all ages, abilities and backgrounds. We offer one-on-one instruction, performing ensembles, theory, composition, early childhood classes, lifelong learning for adults, summer programs and free community performances. Our unique Music Therapy program incorporates adapted instruction for children and adults with disabilities. Our esteemed faculty, who are performing artists, help to enrich the lives of more than 2,500 students each year from Pre-K to Adults. We offer scholarships to finically deserving students, so that all have the chance to experience the transformative power of music.