3 minute read
Fundraising for choir done with cabaret
Melody Soto / Roundup
Handmade beaded earrings, a mini donut maker and a “Taste of Italy” themed basket were placed on tables lining the wall and available for auction Saturday, in the Great Hall at the 21st annual Cabaret Dinner Fundraiser.
The event, hosted by the Pierce College Philharmonic Choir, began at 6:30 p.m. and included dinner, a silent auction and 18 scheduled performances.
Students showcased songs ranging from musicals to country music.
The majority of performers are enrolled in Music 531, taught on Monday nights by Terry Danne, the musical conductor of Pierce College’s Philharmonic Choir and Master Chorale.
“Students got the opportunity to perform a variety of music,” said
Theresa Danne, a member of the master chorale and wife of Terry Danne.
A total of 120 tickets were sold in advance, while another 15 were sold at the door.
Additional chairs were placed around the original tables to accommodate the number of guests present.
Andria Smith, 18, opened the evening with an acoustic performance of “Gray,” a song she composed.
“I wrote this song about six months ago,” Smith said. “It’s about growing older.”
Entertainer David Williams served as master of ceremonies for the event. Williams marched down the Great Hall impersonating the late Sammy Davis Jr. David Hallbauer, 61, started his college education at Pierce College before eventually graduating from CSUN.
He relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii, to earn his master’s degree.
Now retired, he moved back to California a few years ago and since then has enrolled in more Pierce courses.
“If it wasn’t for Pierce College, I’d be a garbage man,” Hallbauer said.
Hallbauer was one of the last to go on stage. He sang and played, “He Walked on Water,” a country song by Randy Travis.
Dinner was provided by Stonefire Grill; it included chicken and tri-tip for the main course.
The silent auction that continued through the evening included 85 items donated by members and friends of the Philharmonic Choir.
Frank Rosales, 68, who was one of several people in charge of selling additional tickets at the door, also attended the fundraiser in support of his wife.
Diana Rosales, a soprano in the chorale, was scheduled to sing but could not attend the event due to a family emergency.
“This [event] was very fruitful for us,” said Rosales.
David Hallbauer also expressed enthusiasm for the event.
“There was great support; a lot of people put a lot of work toward this,” Hallbauer said.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward funding the Philharmonic Choir's spring performances of St. Matthew's Passion by J.S. Bach.
Two collaborative concerts with the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society Chorus are scheduled for Sunday, April 10, in Las Vegas, and Saturday, April 16, at Pierce College's Performing Arts Mainstage.
