Rhode Island Philharmonic Presents Annual Celebration of Music, STOMPIN' AT THE PHIL, Today

On the Saturday evening before Thanksgiving, friends of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School will transform Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet into an authentic jazz club as they gather for the Philharmonic's Annual Celebration of Music. "Stompin' at the Phil: An Evening with the Giants of Jazz" will offer cocktails, dinner and dancing with four groups of musicians showcasing a variety of jazz styles through the years. Event chairs are Anne Sage and Jesse Sgro, and Mark and Catherine Gim. Honorary chairs are Marjorie and Robert Catanzaro, Ellen and Charles Collis, and Robert and Marie Petrarca. Nortek is a Presenting Sponsor of the event. Tickets are $250; sponsorships begin at $3,000.

"This evening celebrates the power of music to bring people together," says David Beauchesne, executive director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. It's only natural to throw a party in honor of music's greatest gift to us - a stronger community." The theme for the event centers on Jazz and will feature footage from Rhode Island's famous Celebrity Club. The Celebrity Club opened in 1949 and was the first multi-racial club in New England; a pioneer in proving that the power of music can bring people together.

Four groups of professional and student musicians will make the evening swing: Pete Collins' five-piece Dixieland band, followed by an ensemble of students from the Philharmonic Music School's Jazz, Rock and Blues program and a performance from the school's Big Band. After dinner, guests will dance to the music of Chris Jason and The Sinatra Live Big Band, featuring Philharmonic Music School faculty and board member Charles Kalajian. As at authentic jazz supper clubs, guests will enjoy seating at intimate tables of all sizes and shapes.

The evening will feature signature drinks from the jazz era provided by Brickyard Wine & Spirits, sparkling wine donated by Sage Cellars and a great variety of fantastic "experiences" and special items in the silent auction.

The Annual Celebration of Music benefits the performance and education programs of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School, with auction proceeds dedicated to funding scholarships to over 33% of the 15,000 students involved in lessons, ensembles and community partnership programs.

At-A-Glance: The Rhode Island Philharmonic's Annual Celebration of Music

When: TONIGHT, November 23, 2013 at 6:00pm

Where: Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, RI

What: Cocktails, dinner, dancing, with music from four jazz groups

Event chairs: Anne Sage and Jesse Sgro, Mark and Catherine Gim

Honorary chairs: Ellen and Charles Collis, Marjorie and Robert Catanzaro, Marie and Robert Petrarca

Tickets: $250

Sponsorships: $3000 - $25,000

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School is the largest fully integrated orchestra and music school in the United States. Our mission is to enrich and transform Rhode Island and our region through great music performance and education.

2013-2014 is the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra's 69th Season, Music Director Larry Rachleff's 18th with the Orchestra. The season includes and eight-concert Classical Series with a roster of world-renowned guest artists that includes pianists Alon Goldstein, Cecile Licad, Jean-Philippe Collard and Robert Levin, violinists Jennifer Frautschi and Philippe Quint, cellist Colin Carr, and guest conductor Michael Christie. Our Amica Rush Hour Series offers and early start time - 6:30pm - on four Fridays (October 18, November 15, March 21, April 11). These shorter, informal, accessible classical concerts feature full performances of select repertoire from the Saturday Classical concerts. Our four Open Rehearsals, on Fridays at 5:30pm (September 20, January 17, February 2, May 9), offer audience members insight into the collaboration between the conductor, guest artists and orchestra musicians as they prepare for the upcoming classical concert. Special events include the perennial holiday favorite Handel's Messiah with the Providence Singers on Saturday, December 7 at 7:00pm. Resident Conductor Francisco Noya conducts Handel's Messiah, our Education Concerts and our Summer Pops Concerts.

Now in its 26th year, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School serves approximately 1,500 children, youth and adults every week with lessons, classes, ensembles and community partnership programs, and an additional 13,000 students annually through partnerships, residencies, education concerts and in-school performances. Ensembles include five youth orchestras, two wind ensembles, eleven jazz ensembles and many chamber music ensembles and the RI Philharmonic Community Orchestra for adults. Information is available atwww.riphil.org.

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