Cocktail hour, with infused vodka tastings. Performance by PaTRAM™-sponsored Osanna Chamber Ensemble. Full Russian-style blini dinner complete with black and red caviar and all the other accoutrements. Presentations by PaTRAM’s Chairman and CEO.
These were the makings of the PaTRAM Institute’s Producers Circle Dinner on Feb 17th in the Grand Hall of the historic mansion that is the Synod of Bishops headquarters on Park Avenue in New York City. The catered affair attracted many clergy, including His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, and supporters in a SOLD OUT house.
PaTRAM CEO, Tatiana Geringer, personally greeted the arriving patrons on that rainy night. She welcomed them to the event and guided them to the circular grand staircase, in the entry hall, and up to the second floor where the open bar was serving drinks and hors d’ oeuvres for the first hour of the evening. Of note were the multi-flavored infused vodkas created by Ms. Geringer and Katya Lukianov, PaTRAM Artistic Director. Also being served was the evenings signature drink, the “A Capella Elixir-It’ll Make You Sing!”
After the cocktail hour, the guests were all welcomed to the beautiful cathedral, in the adjacent hall. There, everyone had seats facing the altar for a performance by the Osanna Chamber Ensemble. Led by conductor John Arlievsky, partially subsidized by the PaTRAM Institute scholarships and made up mostly of young vocalists the Ensemble sang a short, 30 minute program of sacred music from various composers. Their performance was exceptional and emotionally moving with outstanding solos by both male and female soloists.
After the performance everyone moved over to the adjacent Grand Hall and took their seats at the beautifully set tables the incredibly efficient catering servers delivered the evening’s traditional Russian blinis. Delicious!
As everyone was enjoying their meals, PaTRAM Chairman, Alexis Lukianov, gave a short presentation reviewing PaTRAM’s mission, the success of PaTRAM’s recordings and the scholarship programs which partly fund the development of the aforementioned Osanna Chamber Ensemble (pictured below). Mr. Lukianov also reviewed one of the main purposes of this event, to raise funds for PaTRAM’s recording and concert tour of Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece, “All-Night Vigil”, in Jerusalem this coming June.
Following Mr. Lukianov, PaTRAM CEO (and architect of this gala), Tatiana Geringer, gave her short presentation. Ms. Geringer reviewed some of PaTRAM’s recent highlights and then focused on the coming recording and tour reviewing the itinerary and all the available financial support packages both for the recording/tour and for scholarships to advance the development of young singers.
Mr. Lukianov and Ms. Geringer certainly were inspirational speakers because after their presentations Mr. Greg Soufleris, a long-time generous supporter of PaTRAM, spoke about his feelings for the mission and prompted all the guests to support PaTRAM as he pledged his $12,000 purchase of the Associate Executive Producer package.
He, too, inspired others to follow his lead because several other AEP packages were purchased, that night, by generous patrons. All this capped off by a $25,000 additional donation from the Lukianov Family Foundation.
Following Mr. Soufleris, Katya Lukianov (the wife of Alexis and PaTRAM Artistic Director) asked to speak and, like Mr. Soufleris, gave her comments on the values of the mission and its importance, particularly in the development of young vocalists, and concluded by announcing that she, and her brother Andrei, were pledging $5000 EACH for a “Gift of Musical Excellence” Scholarship.
Ms. Lukianov, herself, inspired other patrons as people were writing checks to PaTRAM and pledging more support to the PaTRAM administrators in attendance and since via mail.
A great night was had by all with His Grace Bishop Nicholas saying it’s his wish that this become an annual event.
If you’re so inclined and would like to give a donation toward the Jerusalem project or towards scholarships to aspiring singers, conductors and choirs we would be grateful for all donations at the PaTRAM “Donate” page.
It’s become old hat with us but we will never stop saying it….THANK YOU! It is YOU, our supporters, who are most responsible for the continuation of PaTRAM’s mission. We can’t do it without you!
