“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart”…Pablo Casals

On Tuesday May 7, 2024, The Schuyler Foundation for Career Bridges, David Schuyler Bender and Barbara Bender will be celebrating their Twentieth Annual Concert and Dinner at the historic and illustrious Metropolitan Club located @ 1 East 60th Street, NYC. There will be a cocktail reception & silent auction beginning at 6:30 and the dinner and concert will begin at 7:30. Black tie is preferred, tickets are available at careerbridges.org.

The mission of Career Bridges is to help young opera singers launch their careers by awarding them grants in voice coaching, diction, language, repertory and stage presence. Many of the grant recipients will be performing at this year’s Gala hosted by renowned Metropolitan Opera Star Denyce Graves and Theodore S. Chaplin, former President of Rogers and Hammerstein Organization.

As one of the prestigious honorees, eminent Symphonist Randy Edelman will be granted “The Lifetime Achievement Award” for his endless contributions to the cultural mosaic of music in film, television, recording, and nearly every aspect of the music industry.

The music of composer Randy Edelman isn’t just a tune, but rather a touch, a supernatural force that makes galaxies collide and creates a million tiny universes. His music is an emotion unfurled and perfectly orchestrated, a melody that becomes a story making song and singer, a single force engulfed by the notes. The crowd caresses the echoes of his lyrics replaying past memories that awaken forgotten worlds. His music is stronger than time.

Responsible for touch of fire within the sound, the darkness of the cry, and the thirst within the words, Randy has brought to life over 100 films and television shows with his soundtracks including: My Cousin Vinny, Ghostbusters ll, The Bruce Lee Story, Dragonheart, Kindergarten Cop, Gettysburg, MacGyver, Last of the Mohicans, and a marathon of others. In the afterglow of his studio albums his songs have been covered and recorded by distinguished artists inclusive of Barry Manilow (A Weekend in New England), Patti LaBelle (Isn’t it a Shame), Nelly (My Place), The Carpenters (You), and a parade of endless others.

Others to be honored alongside the multi-award winning composer include: Jason Kwintner, Director of Special Events for the Metropolitan Club, Dr. Joan Taub Ades, who will receive the Humanitarian Award for her musical philanthropic work, and Tony Award winning producer Jane Bergère.

“Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common.”….Sarah Dessen

Special thanks to Lorraine Silvetz (Executive Director Of Global Stress Initiative), Yvette Wenger and Jane Thorngren.

The official website for tickets may be found at the Career Bridges Website here:
https://careerbridges.org