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For Immediate Release

 

CHUCK MANGIONE AMONG INITIAL INDUCTEES TO JOIN

THE ROCHESTER MUSIC HALL OF FAME .

GALA TICKETS NOW ON SALE

 

Debut Musical Event to Honor First Class of Inductees on Sunday, April 29th at the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – March 8, 2012 –

 

Jazz legend and Grammy Award winning composer/ musician Chuck Mangione will be among the initial class of inductees into the brand new ROCHESTER MUSIC HALL OF FAME. His induction, a performance of some of his music, will take place at a star-studded event on April 29th at the Eastman Theater, in Rochester NY.

 

Tickets to the first Rochester Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony are now on sale and are available through the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra box office by calling 585-454-2100, online at http://www.rpo.org/ or rochestermusic.org, and all area Wegmans stores. Regular seats are $50-$35. Students and educators can purchase tickets for $20*. Ticket sales will benefit the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.

 

The Rochester Music Hall of Fame will roll out the red carpet beginning at 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 29th at the Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. The musical event begins at 7 p.m.

 

Program highlights will include:

·         Chuck Mangione accepting his award –  joined by Gap Mangione and his New Big Band, who will be performing Chuck’s music.

·         A solo performance by former Wings & Sea Level member, Joe English.

·         Rascals founding member Gene Cornish – who will be inducted and joined on stage by his fellow Rascals bandmate, Felix Cavaliere. They will perform Rascals classics with additional backing by Prime Time Funk.

·         Cecilia Calloway – the late Cab Calloway’s daughter will perform a medley of his music featuring dancing by Rochester's Groove Juice Swing.

·         A performance of highlights from the Broadway musical, Annie, by its composer, inductee Charles Strouse.

Also appearing will be the University of Rochester Yellow Jackets, Prime Time Funk as the event's house band and a Greater Rochester Area All-Star High School orchestra. 

 

"This will be a historic event for Rochester. All living inductees are expected to attend and many will share some exciting performances," said Rochester Music Hall of Fame (RMHF) founder and board president, Karl LaPorta. "Our goal is to honor and recognize the rich musical history and talent in Rochester. The RMHF plans to annually induct and celebrate new nominees from all walks of musical life and across the wide spectrum of musical styles and disciplines.”

The first class of inductees to the Rochester Music Hall of Fame include: Doriot Anthony Dwyer, the first woman to win a principal chair in a major U.S. orchestra; Corinthian Hall, renowned Rochester concert venue of the 1800s; the historic 1851 performance in Rochester by soprano Jenny Lind; musician, conductor, arranger and record producer Jeff Tyzik;  Joe English, drummer and vocalist for Paul McCartney’s band, Wings; Charles Strouse who wrote  the scores for “Bye, Bye Birdie” and “Annie”; Big Band pioneer and jazz icon, Cab Calloway; guitarist Gene Cornish, founder of The Rascals; and Grammy Award winning jazz artist, Chuck Mangione.

 

Canandaigua National Bank is the presenting sponsor for the Rochester Music Hall of Fame induction ceremonies for the next five years.

For more information or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities contact Karl LaPorta at 585-747-5721 or visit http://www.rochestermusic.org/. For event updates follow RMHF on Twitter at @RocHallofFame or on FaceBook at Rochester Music Hall of Fame.

 

Note to editors:

High-resolution photos of the inductees are available at http://rochestermusic.org/.

 

*Discounted student and educator tickets can be purchased at the Eastman Theatre Box Office.

 

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About the Rochester Music Hall of Fame Launched in April 2010, the RMHF is a non-profit organization made up of local musicians, business owners, community leaders and other professionals. Its mission is to recognize those with ties to Rochester whose talents have contributed to the creation of musical excellence.  Each year new members will be honored through ceremony and celebration and their achievements memorialized to promote an appreciation for the greater Rochester area’s rich and diverse musical history and culture.