Last year, 4,500 households tuned in from around the globe for Merit’s 2020 Gala. This May, Merit’s annual fundraiser returns to a computer, mobile device, or TV near you for our 2nd Annual Virtual Gala.
Everyone is welcome, so save your suits and dresses for another day and join us from your couch for an unforgettable evening celebrating the unstoppable power of music.
FEATURING
Gala Honoree: Sir Andrew Davis
Special performances by Merit students
Stories of the unstoppable power of music
Inspiring words from Merit leaders
For more information, contact Rina Tsang at 312-553-2000 or via email.
MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC
transforms the lives of Chicago-area youth through providing equal access to high-quality music education.
Merit is dedicated to helping young people transform their lives by providing equal access to a high-quality music education, with nearly 70 percent of students benefitting from need-based financial aid and low-cost instrument rental. Merit enables motivated students, regardless of economic circumstance, to develop their talent and to use music as a springboard for achieving their full personal potential, with virtually 100 percent of our Conservatory graduates going on to college.
Revisit Merit’s 2020 Virtual Gala while you wait!
HONORING
SIR ANDREW DAVIS
Alice S. Pfaelzer Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts
THANK YOU to OUR GALA SUPPORTERS
PLATINUM
Richard and Helen Thomas and Family
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Howard Gottlieb and Barbara Greis
Charlie and Caroline Huebner
Judy and Verne Istock
The Negaunee Foundation
EMERALD SOCIETY
Anonymous
Earl Rusnak, Jr. and Sandra Rusnak
STERLING SOCIETY
Anonymous (2)
Julie and Dan Baumeister
BMO Harris Bank
Ginny and Peter Foreman
Joe and Madeleine Glossberg
Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund
Janice Honigberg
ITW
Julian Family Foundation
Peggy and Dick Notebaert
David Thomas
Zell Family Foundation
VIRTUOSO
Abbott
Jeffrey Breslow
Clean Law PC
Anne L. Kaplan
Gabrielle Klein Family
Jim and Kay Mabie, Chicago Capital
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, Thomas Linguanti and Olivia Tyrrell
NIPSCO
Cathy and Bill Osborn
Lorna and Ellard Pfaelzer, Jr.
Carol Prins and John Hart
Ann and Ray Rusnak
Sage Foundation
Nina G. Stillman
Susie Pfaelzer Sultan and John M. Sultan
US Bank
Elizabeth Williams
CONCERTMASTER
Duffie A. Adelson
Baker McKenzie
Huan J. Chang and Robert R. Stauffer
ComEd
Anne and William Goldstein
Jenner & Block
Madison Industries
Shelley Ochab and Chester Gougis
Heidi Lukas and Charles Grode
Carol and Ken Grode
Thomas and Janet Leopold
Judy and Scott McCue
Doris Roskin
Smart Family Foundation
Liz Stiffel
Donna and Tom Stone
T. Rowe Price Private Asset Management
Dia S. and Edward S. Weil, Jr.
William Blair & Company
Sheri and Sherwin Zuckerman
ALLEGRO
Susan and Lawrence Aaron
Alper Services LLC
Meredith Barber and Tom Fitzsimmons
Jayson Bronchetti/Lincoln Financial
Rosemarie and Dean L. Buntrock
The Clinton Family Fund
Lois and Steve Eisen
Philip M. Friedmann
Jennifer and Isaac Goldman
Varda and Joel Goldman
Debra Kerr and Steven Thompson
Emily and Christopher Knight
Robert Kohl and Clark Pellett
Karen Z. Gray-Krehbiel and John H. Krehbiel, Jr.
Diane v.S. Levy and Robert M. Levy
PJH & Associates, Inc.
Susie and Sam Tenenbaum