The Osher School of Music鈥檚 annual scholarship gala showcased the tragedy of opera and the comedy of musical theater. But the one sentiment that ran through the entire night was the gratitude that performers felt toward their guests.
鈥淚鈥檓 a scholarship recipient myself, so it鈥檚 incredible to be able to come perform for the people that gave me this opportunity,鈥� Kaleigh Hunter said.
Hunter is a senior Music major specializing in vocal performance. Her contribution to the gala on Friday, December 2, was a duet from 鈥淒on Giovanni鈥� alongside Caleb Randall. They kicked off a 90-minute program which featured a new act every 10 minutes.
As part of the fun, guests followed the sound of music from room to room at the Cumberland Club in Portland. Performers and the audience often stood at no more than arm鈥檚 length from each other, more like a conversation than a concert. Adding to the coziness were the holiday decorations strung along doorframes and fireplace mantles.
鈥淭his is partly about raising scholarship money,鈥� said Music School Director Alan Kaschub, 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 also a lot about connecting with these people who鈥檝e been so important to all of us. For many of them, this is the kickoff to their holiday season, so we鈥檙e happy to be part of it.鈥�
The holiday theme extended into many of the performances. A clarinet trio jazzed up the familiar tune of 鈥淭he 12 Days of Christmas.鈥� And the delivered a soaring rendition of 鈥淢y Soul鈥檚 Been Anchored in the Lord.鈥�
Dr. Nicol谩s Dosman conducted the chamber singers, helping to manage emotions as well as voices. The gala was a casualty of restrictions on public gatherings during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. After being denied the opportunity for so long, this year鈥檚 performance is especially meaningful.
鈥淔or some of them, this is a very magical, real, first formal event,鈥� Dosman said. 鈥淢any of them are very excited to be here and just be around people again in this kind of setting.鈥�
The guest list was filled with many of the music school鈥檚 biggest financial supporters. The gala lets them see firsthand how their donations are helping to put a professional polish on raw talent. By drawing on their new skills, students seek not only to entertain their guests, but also to thank them.
Dan Crewe was one of the more familiar faces in the audience. He and his brother, Bob, built the Crewe Foundation to help fund art and music programs. The seed money for their philanthropy came from Bob Crewe鈥檚 career as a songwriter for legendary acts like the Four Seasons, Michael Jackson, and Patti LaBelle.
The has made multiple donations totaling $6 million toward construction of a new on the 杏吧传媒鈥檚 Portland Campus. It鈥檚 the latest in a long string of University projects funded by the Crewe family dating back to the early 1990s. Dan Crewe came away from the gala as enthusiastic as ever about that relationship.
鈥淚t is without a doubt a real gem,鈥� said Crewe about the Osher School. 鈥淚t鈥檚 understood that one of the best music programs in the United States is right here.鈥�
Anyone who felt inspired by the performances at the gala to make a donation had ample opportunities. A table in a busy hallway held information about the campaign, by which donors can pay $5,000 to name a seat in the new arts center. The night鈥檚 festivities ended with a pledge round of scholarship donations.
Kaleigh Hunter is proof of the impact a donation can make. She had more on her mind besides the usual jitters leading up to her gala performance of 鈥淒on Giovanni.鈥�
鈥淚 just applied to graduate schools last night up until 12 o鈥檆lock,鈥� Hunter said. 鈥淵eah, the goal is to perform.鈥�
Donations to the Osher School of Music can be made at any time on the .