Jaime Camil And Rob Morrow Host AFIPO 2018 Los Angeles Gala

Rob Morrow and Jaime Camil hosted the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO) 2018 Los Angeles Gala, honoring Grammy and Tony-nominated American composer Stanley Silverman, on the occasion of his 80th birthday. The award was presented by his son and event co-chair Ben Silverman, Chairman and Co-CEO of Propagate Content. Previous recipients of the award include multi-Oscar winning composer Hans Zimmer in 2014, and conductor Zubin Mehta in 2017.

Guests enjoyed a dinner and euphonic performances of classical and popular music from pianist Ory Shihor alongside members of the world-renowned Israel Philharmonic, as well as a performance from co-host Rob Morrow and guitarist Carlos Calvo. The room was full of energy as performers and hosts alike spoke passionately about the global impact of music and the importance of preserving musical education. The evening will fund programming for over 22,000 of Israel's children from all backgrounds, races and religions.

Speakers also highlighted the importance of celebrating the legendary orchestra, which was founded by the visionary Bronislaw Huberman. In 1936 Huberman saved the lives of over 1,000 Jews from Europe and brought them to Tel Aviv to form the Orchestra that would become the Israel Philharmonic in 1948. The evenings guests included Ali Larter, Yael Grobglas, Eric Mabius, Howard Gordon, Gideon Raff and more.

Hosts Rob Morrow and Jaime Camil welcomed the crowd, "we are thrilled to be here with you as we celebrate the power of music to bring diverse audiences together, towards greater understanding and tolerance. From the beginning, the Orchestra's founding members were committed to music education for the greater good. Under the baton of Music Director Maestro Zubin Mehta, the Orchestra has recently performed in China, Vienna, Italy and the Republic of Georgia as a cultural ambassador."

Gala Co-Chair Ben Silverman presented the award to his father, Stanley Silverman. "This award means more to me than I can ever express in words. The happiest days of my life have been the days my children were born and May 14, 1948, the day that Israel was founded," Stanley exclaimed.

Kfir Gavrieli, Co-Founder of footwear company Tieks and Gala Co-Chair, expressed the importance of supporting music education. "Supporting Israeli composers and young Israeli musicians and playing Israeli music is important to the Orchestra. 18 years ago, patrons in the US made an inaugural gift to found Keynote the music education department of the Israel Philharmonic - and American Friends continues to support Keynote annually. Nearly 25,000 young people each year receive programming, instruments, free concerts and transportation because of you."

Musical performances began with one of Silverman's compositions, "Life on the Inside" sung by co-host Rob Morrow and accompanied by guitarist Carlos Calvo, followed by a medley of songs by pianist Ory Shihor and members of the Israel Philharmonic.

The evening concluded with a post-performance reception on the terrace at the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts.

ABOUT AFIPO AND IPO

American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO) is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustaining the financial future of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO). The IPO is the leading orchestra in Israel and globally recognized as a world-class symphonic ensemble. The Orchestra performs regularly in its home, the Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv as well as throughout Israel, including Jerusalem and Haifa. Additionally, it frequently tours internationally, travelling around the world from Asia to America. Since its inception, the IPO has enjoyed long-lasting relationships with renowned soloists and conductors which have kept it at the forefront of the classical music world. The longest and closest such relationship has been with the current Music Director, Maestro Zubin Mehta, who has been at the helm of the Orchestra for over 50 years. In 2020, then 31 year old Lahav Shani will succeed Mehta as Music Director.