Surprise gift doubles piano scholarship at SUNY Fredonia

The weekend celebration of the Elizabeth and Michel Sorel Charitable Organization’s (visit the organization's website) gifts to SUNY Fredonia held double the excitement after a surprise announcement on Saturday, Sept. 29.

During the dedication of a new Steinway concert grand piano, Judy Cope, executive director of the Sorel organization, which provided funds to purchase the piano and $55,000 to create a scholarship endowment through the Fredonia College Foundation, presented a second check for $55,000 to Vice President for University Advancement David Tiffany. The funds will be used to enhance the scholarship endowment.

The crowd gathered for the dedication in the Juliet J. Rosch Recital Hall burst into applause.

Vice President Tiffany noted, “Doubling the principal in the Claudette Sorel Memorial Piano Scholarship allows for more scholarships and larger awards. It will considerably strengthen the School of Music’s piano major and grows the legacy of Miss Sorel.”

The original gifts from the Sorel organization were facilitated by alumni Wende Persons, ’74, and Professor Phyllis East, ’71, both former students of the late Distinguished Professor Claudette Sorel, a concert pianist who was head of the piano area at the Fredonia School of Music for many years.

A multi-media musical tribute was also offered in Miss Sorel’s memory by a former student and Eastman School of Music faculty member Tony Caramia, ’73.

The evening’s events included a dinner during which former students and acquaintances of Miss Sorel shared memories of her dedication to students and teaching, including Professor East, Ms. Persons, Ms. Cope, Esther Lanford, Helga Hulse, Raya Then, ’72; Douglas Martin, ’79; Mr. Caramia, and School of Music Director Karl Boelter.

The celebration concluded with a well-received concert by internationally-renowned pianist Richard Goode.

Top photo by Roger Coda.  Photo at bottom by Stephen Yunghans, courtesy of the Dunkirk Observer.