nycha music

NYCHA Symphony Orchestra Gala Benefit Concert

The NYCHA Symphony Orchestra

Janet Wolfe and George Soros at the Benefit Concert

On Thursday, February 16, 2012, the NYCHA Symphony Orchestra held a Gala Benefit Concert to honor Executive Director Janet Wolfe’s 40-plus years of leadership. The concert featured Awagadin Pratt, a renowned pianist and conductor, who is the first African-American pianist to win the prestigious Naumburg International Piano Competition. Mr. Pratt was a conductor of the NYCHA Symphony Orchestra on several occasions in the past. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music.

The program for the Gala Benefit Concert included music by Edward Elgar, Peteris Vasks, Antonin Dvorak, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Terrance McKnight, the weekday evening music host on Classical 105.9 WQXR, served as the host for this event. Liz Player, founder of The Harlem Chamber Players, coordinated the event. True to the origins of the NYCHA Symphony Orchestra and Mrs. Wolfe’s mission, Ms. Player says it is her goal to continue providing a platform for musicians of color to perform.

Janet Wolfe accepting roses from her grandsons, Jake and Sam Matlovsky

Awagadin Pratt taking a bow, along with the Orchestra musicians, including Liz Player (5th from the right, behind music stand)

Listen to Highlights from the performance!

Highlight #1

Highlight #2

See also Classic NYCHA.

Article written by Diane Chehab. Photos taken by Chelsea Davis.