Photo Coverage: The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation Honors Steinway President Ron Losby, William S. Hearst, Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? The punch line of that old joke is "practice", however in the world of classical music it also takes concerned citizens to support an nurture young artists. Few have been more supportive and inspiring in this endeavor than the legendary performing piano duo of Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz. These two distinguished musicians created the Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, a non-profit organization as an outgrowth of The Stecher and Horowitz School of the Arts in Cedarhurst, New York.

The school, founded in 1960 was Nassau County's leading conservatory of music until its transition in 1999 to New York City. Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz, Executive Directors of the Foundation and Founders of the original school, devoted a lifetime to more than 15,000 students enrolled during its thirty-nine year history. Concerned about the future, the Foundation realized the next chapter in its mission was to serve as mentors, supporting and inspiring young musicians through the The New York International Piano Competition. Constantly expanding its vision, The Foundation continues to serve and inspire outstanding young musicians worldwide. Recently at it's 2015 Gala Benefit Evening held at the University Club Ron Losby, President of Steinway and Sons, William S. Hearst, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation, and Melvin Strecher and Norman Horowitz were honored. Jun Hwi Cho, First Prize Winner of the 2014 New York International Piano Competition gave a short concert for Gala guests in the historic magnificently wood paneled dinning room of the University Club.

Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff

The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation Gala Benefit Evening

Melvin Stecher Co-Executive Director, Honoree

Norman Horowitz, Co-Executive Director,Honoree

Jun Hwi Cho, First Prize Winner 2014 New York International Piano Competition

William S. Hearst, Chairman of the Board, Honoree

Ron Losby, President of Steinway & Sons-Americas, Honoree

Charles V. Schaefer, Gala Char

Joyce B. Cowin, Honorary Gala Chair

Margaret O. Carpenter, Gala Chair

The University Club The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation gala Benefit Evening

Melvin Stecher

William S. Hearst

Norman Horowitz & Melvin Stecher

Silent Auction

Melvin Stecher

Norman Horowitz

Melvin Stecher

Melvin Stecher, Norman Horowitz and guests

The University Club

EDa Sorokoff, Lee Musiker, Jay Leonhart

Lee Musiker

EDa Sorokoff & Melvin Stecher

The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation Gala Benefit Evening

The University Club