Students of the Music Industry program of the Department of Applied Professional Studies in the School of Business hosted a recent black tie Music to Nourish Philanthropy Dinner, raising over $3,100 for WhyHunger, a global nonprofit organization that provides grassroots solutions to ensure communities have access to proper meals and nutrition.
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The event, held at The White Inn, was organized in the framework of the Music Marketing and Promotions course taught by Music Industry Program Coordinator Armand Petri from the Department of Applied Professional Studies. The main organizers, students Michelle Cope and Mikayla Mendels, showed that various skills and knowledge acquired at Fredonia including organization, event management, creative writing, public speaking, establishing interpersonal connections, working as a team, and computer literacy were instrumental in creating the charity dinner.
The dinner included performances featuring Fredonia talent from the Fredonia Guitar Quartet, Gabby, Vaughn & Kate, and Nia Drummond. There was a silent auction, which included signed items from the Goo Goo Dolls and world renowned singer Renée Fleming, artwork including an item by Salvador Dali, and other donations from local establishments.
Among the attendees of the event were President Virginia Horvath, Provost Terry Brown, Fredonia Mayor Stephen Keefe, Director of Marketing and Communications Michael Barone, Vice President for University Advancement David Tiffany and Peggy Tiffany, Rockefeller Arts Center Director Jefferson Westwood and Wendy Westwood, adjunct faculty member Kenny and Audrey Koblitz, and other local friends of Fredonia and students. Music Industry faculty including Mr. Petri and Dr. Stuart Shapiro, as well as Reneta Barneva, department chair, were present to support their students.
Sponsors and donors of the event were President Horvath, Fredonia Beaver Club, The White Inn, Associate Provost Lisa Hunter, Joe Basil Chevrolet, Mr. and Mrs. Koblitz, Midtown Realty, WhyHunger, Park Edge Sweet Shop, Mr. Westwood, Facial Expressions, Park Place Massage, Simply Skin Spa, Medusa's Hair, Aloe Vera's Eatery, Lena's Pizza, Maria's Pizza, Mr. Petri, Ms. Fleming, alumnus Jeff James from SONY Records, Kasia Coffee, Domus Fare, Harvest View, Maplevale Farms and Beats to Live By.
WhyHunger’s programs are in service to supporting and building grassroots-led movements that will end hunger and poverty and build a new society that ensures the rights of all people to food, land, water and sustainable livelihoods.
The Music Industry program teaches students how to produce, market and sell music, with over 150 students enrolled at Fredonia.
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