Publications & Sites 
Merit School of Music raises $770,000 at gala
Merit Trustee Shelley Ochab and Gala Dinner Chairman Harrison Steans of Bannockburn | Photo by Jasmin Shah
{CAUSE & EVENT}
EVENT: “Merit Makes Music Happen” 2012 Gala
BENEFITTING: Merit School of Music
DATE: May 2, 2012
LOCATION: Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago
RAISED: $770,000
ATTENDED: nearly 500
Article Extras
Updated: August 14, 2012 7:12PM
Merit School of Music raised more than $770,000 to date through its “Merit Makes Music Happen” 2012 Gala, a benefit held Wednesday, May 2 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago.
The proceeds will directly benefit students enrolling in Merit’s 2012-13 program year, a majority of whom will qualify for need-based financial aid and instrument loans. Merit’s classes are offered at dozens of sites throughout the Chicago area, including Chicago public schools, private and parochial schools and community centers, as well as at Merit’s own state-of-the-art facility in Chicago’s West Loop.
Senator Dick Durbin, an honorary chair, was among the nearly 500 Gala guests. Several Merit ensembles performed throughout the evening, and the school honored business executive, arts patron and violinist Howard Gottlieb of Wilmette, Ill. with the Alice S. Pfaelzer Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts, created after Merit’s co-founder to recognize those who are committed to the furtherance of the arts. Kenneth Griffin, founder and CEO of Chicago-based Citadel was Merit Gala’s presenting sponsor, and Harrison I. Steans, chairman of the executive committee for Chicago-based Financial Investments Corp. was the dinner chair.
Merit School of Music, www.meritmusic.org, is a non-profit community music school in Chicago’s West Loop providing high-quality classical and jazz music education to 6,000 Chicago-area students, from newborns to age 18. Founded in 1979, Merit seeks to help young people achieve their full potential, to remove economic barriers to participation, and to stimulate personal and educational growth through music. Its esteemed faculty provides comprehensive group and individual music instruction through a continuum of instrumental programs leading to the Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-free Conservatory for advanced and motivated young musicians.
For more information, see meritmusic.org or call (312) 786-9428.
