Concert for Richmond

10/12/2008

CONCERT OF VIBRANT MUSIC FOR RICHMOND SCHOLARSHIP

In response to the Annual Fund Drive in 2008, alumnus Daniel Wagner (Class of 1983) established a scholarship in memory of his mother, Zilla Cahn, for the benefit of students from developing countries wishing to attend Richmond University.

Zilla G. Cahn was a scholar, intellectual historian and holocaust survivor who cared deeply about education and intellectual discourse. One current student from Palestine has already benefitted from the scholarship this Fall. Seeking to raise more funds to endow this scholarship, Dan planned a Sunday afternoon concert in New York at which tenor Fidel Zayco performed solo, accompanied by pianist, Edward Thompson and violinist, Akiko Kobayashi.

In the first half of the concert, Fidel sang from 'The Messiah' by George Frideric Handel, Franz Schubert, Robert Schumann, Gabriel Faure, Eduard Lalo, Nicanor Abelardo, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Luis Bacalov. In the second half, Fidel’s niece, Michaela Carlos, joined him in singing excerpts from 'The King and I', 'Miss Saigon' and 'Brigadoon', amongst others. The very enthusiastic applause was testament to the audience's appreciation of Michaela’s young talent and Fidel’s professional voice.

Richmond alumni and friends joined other friends and family of the performers and met with Richmond’s President, Dr Ian Newbould, at a reception held at the Philippine Center. Everyone agreed this was a very special afternoon filled with wonderful music in support of a very worthy cause.

The Alumni Relations office would be pleased to hear from anyone interested in endowing a scholarship in the name of a family or family member which could assist students in studying at Richmond University. For further enquiries please contact the Director of Alumni Relations at the following address: alumni@richmond.ac.uk