William S Hearst News

There are many high profile and exciting items auctioned off at prestigious Galas. You can have lunch with Warren Buffett or other famous luminaries. You can replace Maestro Steven Reineke on the podium at Carnegie Hall and conduct The New York Pops Orchestra for a few minutes or win this writer to play piano at your private party if you bid high enough at the Pops Gala. Last night at the historic Lotos Club in New York City one of the most prestigious classical music organizations in the country had a dinner and the winning bidder at The Stecher Horowitz 60th Anniversary Gala last April and invited guests were entertained by the prize.

Last night in the historic University Club some of New York's most esteemed citizens gathered to honor two of the most remarkable men in the music world……  Pianists, Educators, and humanitarians Melvin Stecher & Norman Horowitz.  The Gala celebrated the 60 years of the Stecher Horowitz Foundation and it's Founders and Executive Directors Melvin and Norman.  

Put together two super actor/singers to perform The Songs Of Kander & Ebb and it's like Mantle and Maris hitting back to back homers in the world series. Oops, I promised myself I would avoid the Baseball references, however watching Haley Swindal you cannot help but wonder how this enormously talented lady became such an exciting entertainer coming from a sports/business family. Then again, George Steinbrenner did create exciting entertainment for millions with the Yankee franchise and he was also an avid fan and investor in Broadway shows.

In actuality all the pianists competing in The Ninth New York International Piano Competition are winners because no contestant gets eliminated during the grueling four day event.

It's a short walk, but an arduous journey from the Stretcher and Horowitz Foundation's headquarters on 57th street to Carnegie Hall or other concert venues, but Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz make the voyage much easier for talented young musicians.

As with all Stecher and Horowitz events it's all about the music and helping gifted young pianists navigate the demanding career they have chosen.  This years annual gala at the legendary architectural landmark University Club in New York City was attended by some of New York's most respected a accomplished citizens who share the Foundation's mission and who have a love of classical music.  

BroadwayWorld was there for the Gala Benefit Evening celebrating The Stecher and Horowitz Foundation. Check out the photos below!

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? The punch line of that old joke is "practice", however in the world of classical music it also takes concerned citizens to support an nurture young artists. Few have been more supportive and inspiring in this endeavor than the legendary performing piano duo of Melvin Stecher and Norman Horowitz. These two distinguished musicians created the Stecher and Horowitz Foundation, a non-profit organization as an outgrowth of The Stecher and Horowitz School of the Arts in Cedarhurst, New York.