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Year in Review: Thank you, Perlman!

JO ANN KIRKLAND PHOTO | Liam Adipietro was a guest conductor at the PMP outreach concert in October.
JO ANN KIRKLAND PHOTO | Liam Adipietro was a guest conductor at the PMP outreach concert in October.

The musicians of the Perlman Music Program entertained us all year with Works in Progress Concerts, Alumni Recitals and the ever-popular Family Concert.

Perlman Music Program held its first Alumni Chamber Music Retreat from September 30 to October 5. At the culmination of the retreat, the musicians presented a series of concerts in the community.

Violinists Zachary Spontak and Rebecca Benjamin, violist Will Bender and cellist Nico Olarte-Hayes performed at the Shelter Island School for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. The interactive recital included “guest conductors” and a discussion about favorite pets — Rebecca’s was a penguin.

Music teacher Jessica Bosak said, “This concert was about exposing kids to incredible music and, hopefully, sparking something inside them, whether it’s appreciating music, being more in tune to their emotions, or wanting to play their own instrument someday. Having the Perlman group come in and work with our kids was an experience that we won’t forget.”

“We are proud to count over 400 alumni who are changing the face of classical music across the world,” said Toby Perlman, founder and director of the Perlman Music Program. “To say that our graduates are doing well is an understatement. You can find them in major orchestras worldwide and excelling as teachers, chamber musicians, soloists — and simply wonderful people.”