Benefit Concerts

The Heights music program is a school district and community asset that Reaching Heights has showcased though four special concerts. These concerts drew attention to the value of music education and the Heights tradition of musical excellence. They have featured our talented students and alumni, and our talented community. They have ignited community pride, and generated funds for Reaching Heights programs to sustain this great tradition.

In 1995 Reaching Heights organized more than 160 alumni of the Heights vocal and instrumental music program to perform in a concert of classical music at Cain Park. The event, Reaching Notable Heights was designed to draw attention to the school district’s wonderful musical tradition, build community, and generate funds for Reaching Heights programs.

World renowned pianist Eunice Podis, a 1938 graduate of Heights High, was the honorary chair for the benefit and the featured soloist. She was joined by musicians who returned home from across the country to perform, including 14 members of national orchestras.

In 1998 Reaching Heights organized a second Heights musical reunion concert at Cain Park, this time featuring 50 alumni jazz musicians. HeightSwings delighted the audience and offered performers from across the country an evening to celebrate their musical roots in the school district for the benefit of Reaching Heights programs. The evening also paid tribute to James Bane, the long-time director of the Heights High Jazz Band whose retirement coincided with the concert. Reaching Heights unveiled the James Bane Jazz Scholarship. Reaching Heights organized a second alumni concert at Cain Park in 1998. More than 50 musical alumni performed jazz in HeightSwings. The evening raised additional funds for music programs and Reaching Heights announced the creation of a scholarship for a Heights Jazz Band member named for retiring band director, James Bane.

In March of 2003 Reaching Heights worked in partnership with the district's music teachers to sponsor Reaching Musical Heights, a concert at Severance Hall featuring students from throughout the district. This unforgettable evening gave student musicians and the community an inspiring experience. It also generated funds for music enrichment programming. Click here for more information about Reaching Musical Heights.

July 19, 2006 was another special night at Cain Park. A Night for Musical Memories featured the talented communities musicains in a tribute to musical educator and band leader Vince Patti. The event was a benefit for the Patti Family Music Fund. Click here to learn more about the concert and about the scholarship fund.

Reaching Musical Heights was a pioneering effort for Reaching Heights, and the first concert of its kind ever organized by a school district at Severance Hall.   It was such a powerful experience for everyone involved, Reaching Heights decided to organize a return engagement, Reaching Musical Heights-Encore!  The February 26, 2007 benefit concert was another great evening for all involved.  Click here to read more about the concert.