Magical Music in the Er-a

Just days before the kickoff of its 77th summer festival, the Miraflores campus of the Music Academy of the West was packed with 225 supporters for the “Magic of the Music Academy: A New Era” gala with a special solo performance by top cellist Joshua Roman in Hahn Hall.

Roman, 40, attended the academy in 2002 before becoming cellist for the Seattle Symphony in 2006, the youngest principal player in its history.

His short repertoire included Bach’s “Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, ‘Prélude;’” his own composition “Immunity” reflecting on problems he had after contracting COVID which impacted his playing, and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” adding his vocal talents to the work.

After the performance he participated in a Q&A session with Shauna Quill, the academy’s charming new president and CEO.

Given the Italian theme, guests sat down for a Tuscan-themed dinner, with baritone Byron Mayes entertaining.

The $350,000 raised pays for supporting 137 fellows during the summer, out of more than 3,000 who applied, and raising 225 young voices through the Sing! children’s chorus.

Among those facing the music were Stewart Hudnut, Jeff and Margo Barbakow, Janet Garufis, Anne Towbes, Karen Lehrer, Peter and Kathryn Martin, Anaïs Pellegrini, Randy and Roxy Solakian, Robert Adams, Nicholas and Rosemary Mutton, NancyBell Coe, Tiffany DeVries, and Christine Garvey.

An evening of high note…