Sergei Kvitko and Jim McClurken opened up their magnificent Lansing residence for a gala honoring the WKAR Endowment for Classical Music on February 20. Approximately 100 guests enjoyed delectable hors d’oeuvres as they wandered through the meticulously restored home prior to an intimate concert in the home’s ballroom.

The ballroom is also the recording studios for Kvitko’s Blue Griffin label, which many 90.5 Classical listeners recognize as the recording label for many of the region’s best known musical artists.

When the guests moved to the third floor ballroom, they were welcomed by WKAR’s DeAnne Hamilton; Timothy Muffitt, music director and conductor of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by his daughter, Clara; and James Forger, dean of the College of Music at Michigan State University.

Kvitko served as both emcee for the event as well as performer, beginning the evening with one of his transcription of Bach’s Prelude in C Major.

Guests were then entertained by an array of musicians, including cellist Suren Bagratuni, accompanied by Larisa Mageramova on violin for Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia and then by Janna Gandelsman for David Popper’s Tarantella. Yuri and Janna Gandelsman then performed Mikhail Glinka’s Viola Sonata. Pianist Ralph Votapek offered Maurice Ravel’s La Valse.

Bagratuni, Gandelsman and Votapek are all members of the Michigan State College of Music faculty, as is Melanie Helton. Together, with the evening’s special guest, composer/pianist Ricky Ian Gordon of New York City, she performed several original selections. Gordon also performed solo. Earlier that week he and Helton had recorded a new Blue Griffin album with songs based on the poetry of e.e. cummings.

Following the performance, guests adjourned to the dining room for a dessert buffet.

WKAR launched the Endowment for Classical Music last fall as the station celebrated its 60^th year of FM radio broadcast. The five-year campaign will raise $500,000 to establish a permanent source of funding for WKAR’s classical music service. To date, nearly 250 members of WKAR have donated more than $140,000 to launch the campaign.

Special thanks to our donors and sponsors

10,000+
Eileen Newman
(in memory of Leonard M. Newman)

 

$3,000-$9,000
Capital Region Community Foundation
Gordon Food Service

 

Blue Griffin Recording
Chapelure “Fine Pastry & Espresso”
Dusty’s Cellar
Edge Partners Valet Service
Jim McClurken & Sergei Kvikto
Lansing Symphony Orchestra
Michigan State University College of Music
Professional Party Planner
Smith Floral & Greenhouses
Sigma Alpha Iota, Alpha Lambda Chapter

WKAR Host Committee

Lucile Belen
Representative Mark Meadows
Robert Mellor
Craig Ruff
Deborah Zannoth