Rochester Music Hall of Fame Announces Date and Place of 2013 Induction Ceremony

On-line Nomination Form Now Available for Community Participation

ROCHESTER, N.Y., October 7, 2012 –The Rochester Music Hall of Fame (RMHF) announced today that the 2013 Induction Ceremony will take place on Sunday April 28th at 7pm, at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.  Last year more than 1,500 people attended the inaugural event.

RMHF is a non-profit organization that recognizes those with ties to Rochester whose talents have contributed to the creation of musical excellence. Currently, the organization is accepting nominations at its website www.rochestermusic.org. Participants in the April ceremony will be announced in February.

“We are looking at a diverse and rich line-up for this year’s ceremony,” said founder and board president, Karl LaPorta. “We will be formally inducting some of the people we have already announced plus new ones based on community input.”

LaPorta said he is particularly excited to be returning to Eastman Theatre.  “Eastman Theatre is one of the cornerstones of music in our community, and the Eastman School of Music has been very supportive of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.”

Scores of local citizens volunteered their time last year to create the three-hour extravaganza that honored Rochester’s musical heritage through music, dance, video and speeches. Presenting Sponsor Canandaigua National Bank and other organizations and individuals make the gala possible. Volunteers and sponsors are currently being sought for the 2013 event.

Last year’s ceremony included many touching and joyful musical moments:

• The reunion of inductee Gene Cornish and his band mate Felix Cavaliere from The Rascals.
• Performances by Grammy Award-winning jazz artist Chuck Mangione with a special band put together by his brother, Gap.
• A delightful piano concert of his hits from “Bye, Bye Birdie” and “Annie” by composer Charles Strouse
• A toe-tapping rendition of Cab Callaway’s “Hi De Ho Man” by his daughter, Cecelia, and band

So what did you think?  And please follow us on Twitter and Facebook so you become part of the community and find out first who our next Inductees will be!

• Ninety year old flutist, Doriot Anthony Dwyer, gave a deeply moving performance accompanied on piano by Cherry Tsang. Doriot was introduced by Susan Fleet, a music historian and musician, who really helped us understand the barriers that Doriot broke down by her sheer talent and determination. There were few dry eyes in the audience after this induction.
• We shared the richness of Rochester’s heritage from another century with the induction of Corinthian Hall and the performances of Jenny Lind. Mezzo-soprano Kristina Moore played Jenny Lind and graced us with her beautiful voice, accompanied by Gerry Szymanski.
• Cecilia Calloway gave a moving tribute to her father, Cab Calloway, with both words and song.  Her own band and Prime Time Funk filled the hall with joyous jazz that had the audience on its feet.
• Chick Corea and Herb Albert sent video greetings to Chuck Mangione who then joined his brother Gap on stage with an unbelievable medley of some of his top hits.  Once again the audience was on their feet.
• Joe English showed how a musician evolves both personally and professionally after giving a heartfelt talk about his move into Christian music and how he now practices his faith.  He brought this alive with song.
• Jeff Tyzik talked about the influence Chuck Mangione  on his life and about the joy of leading the RPO Pops.
• Charles Strouse performed with grace and humor. We all felt the sun had really come out when he ended with The Sun will Come Out Tomorrow.
• Gene Cornish literally had people dancing in the aisles to Good Lovin when he performed with Felix Cavaliere and Prime Time Funk. And he hinted at a Rascals reunion concert. We are all waiting!

For all of us in Rochester,  music has been a unifying guide to who we are as a community.  While we honor individual performers,  what we are really honoring is the talent and work of performers that pulls us all together as human beings. On April 29th, we have the opportunity to rejoice in the power of music and thank those who have made it possible.  Please join us.

Now I ask all of you who love music, love Rochester and love ideas that happen when people decide to make something happen, to stand up in support of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.  This means spreading the word, buying tickets,  taking out an ad in our program book, becoming a patron and getting your business to become a sponsor.  It’s all easy to do at this website or by contacting us through the Contact Us form.  You will get a very quick reply and a very big thank you.

In March 2009, local musician, Karl LaPorta, wrote in the Democrat and Chronicle about his desire to have a place in the city of Rochester where local musicians and their accomplishments could be recognized and celebrated. Karl’s editorial received so many positive reactions that Karl immediately went to work to assemble a group of supporters. With their help and the support of others Karl’s vision has become a reality.

The Rochester Music Hall of Fame was put in place to celebrate those with ties to Rochester whose musical talents and creativity contributed to the creation of musical excellence. Each year new members will be inducted with a ceremony to celebrate their contribution to music and the city of Rochester.

On April 29^th the Rochester Music Hall of Fame plans on honoring their first class of inductees at a musical gala. The gala is being held at the Eastman Theatre and begins at 7 p.m. All inductees are expected to attend and many plan on performing that night. If you are as excited as we are for this event join us! Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 8^th.

Rochester to induct its first class into Music Hall of Fame

If you ask most people, they’ll say it’s about time. Rochester is finally getting a music hall of fame. It’s been three years in the making, but Tuesday, it was officially announced that Rochester will have a music hall of fame. This year, eight people and one “place” will be inducted.

Did you know the Buffalo and Syracuse have music hall of fames? It seems only fitting that a city like Rochester would have one too.

Our city has a deep musical from the Eastman School of Music to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra to the world renowned Rochester Jazz Festival. Rochester knows music, and it knows how to produce music legends. So it’s fitting that after all these years of musical history, the musicians that created it will be honored in the first Rochester Music Hall of Fame.

Read the full story here: Rochester to induct its first class into Music Hall of Fame

Chuck Mangione, Cab Calloway among inductees to Rochester Music Hall of Fame

Eight musicians, and one piece of architecture, are the first inductees to the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.

The concept crept another step closer to reality when Karl LaPorta — now president of the idea that he introduced three years ago — opened a press conference Tuesday at Max of Eastman place press posing this question: Buffalo has had a music hall of fame for three decades. Syracuse has an annual music awards. “Why doesn’t Rochester have anything?”

Read the full story here: Chuck Mangione, Cab Calloway among inductees to Rochester Music Hall of Fame

A lot of effort, time, talent and love went into tonight’s event. I am proud to be a part of all of it.

Tracy Kroft, blogging for RMHF