Staff Board of Trustees
News from Reaching Heights
For Immediate Release: July 27, 2007
Contact: Susie Kaeser (216) 932-5110
Canterbury Elementary School students Ayanna Jackson and Niara Stitt, and Fairfax student Carlton Radivoyevitch were the first performers in an inter-generational concert held on July 21 to benefit the Patti Family Music Fund of Reaching Heights. The fund supports a music lesson scholarship program that Reaching Heights offers to elementary and middle school students in the Heights schools. The three performers were among the 32 Cleveland Heights-University Heights student musicians who received scholarships for private music lessons during the first year of the program.
The Patti Family Fund was established in 2006 to honor the life and inspiring career of Vince Patti, a talented musician and inspiring music educator who taught in the Heights schools from 1956 until 1976. His sons and friends established the fund to honor Mr. Patti’s life work by supporting future generations of musicians. Initial funding for the scholarship program came from A Night for Musical Memories, a concert at Cain Park held in July of 2006.
The three young musicians communicated the value of investing in future musicians, and “set the tone” for the afternoon of light classical music and big band music performed by many of Vince Patti’s musical colleagues, children and friends. They were accompanied by Pamela Adamson who teaches elementary instrumental music in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights schools, the position that Vince Patti held before her. The concert was hosted by the A.M. McGregor Home, where Mr. and Mrs. Patti resided and where Mr. Patti frequently shared his music with fellow residents.
Mr. Patti’s sons, Bruce and Brian who are school district alumni and professional musicians in Dallas and Chicago, performed light classical music with their cousin, CIM pianist Chris Hill, and with retired Cleveland Orchestra cellist Diane Mather. They were also joined by Marcia Ferritto and Sara Rossi. The final portion of the program was a performance by the TOPS Swing Band led by Dick Wooley. Vince Patti was a founder of the group of retired music professionals.
The music lesson scholarship program is available to students in grades 5 to 8 who participate in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights instrumental music program. Tax-deductible contributions to the Patti Music Fund of Reaching Heights are welcomed. Contributions can be sent to Reaching Heights, 1991 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118.
