Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation Honors Music Teachers

Posted in News on April 6, 2004

The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports music education programs in schools nationwide, presented its second annual music teacher awards at Carnegie Hall in New York City on March 26. Five music teachers were selected from across the country to each receive a $10,000 prize in recognition of embracing the spirit and dedication of "Mr. Holland" portrayed by Richard Dreyfuss in the 1995 hit movie.

Seen here after the presentation at Carnegie Hall are (seated) MHOF Trustee Robert Urband, MHOF VP Bob Ezrin, MHOF Executive Director Felice Mancini, Michael Kamen's daughter Sasha Kamen (at piano), MHOF Board member Gabe Kosakoff, award recipient Lamont Snyder; (standing) award recipient Don Sherman, Guitar Center CEO Marty Albertson, MHOF President/BMI's Doreen Ringer Ross, MHOF Board members Simeon Loring and Andrea Kaiser, and award recipients Ben Work, Mickey Harper and David Kraus. Photo by Gary Gershoff

This year's awards ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Grammy Award-winning BMI composer Michael Kamen, founder of the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation who passed away in November 2003.

Sponsored by Guitar Center, the awards were presented by Senator John Glenn during a special concert saluting Hollywood, performed by the New York Pops and conducted by Skitch Henderson. The concert also featured recording artist Monica Mancini and composer Michael Legrand.

BMI is a long-time supporter of the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation. BMI Vice President of Film/TV Relations Doreen Ringer Ross is President of the Board of Directors and BMI President & CEO Frances Preston serves on the Foundation's Advisory Council.

The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation supports music education and its many benefits through the donation and repair of musical instruments to underserved schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide. In the last seven years, new and refurbished instruments with a value of $5 million have been donated to more than 450 school and community music programs across the country.

SOURCENews TAGS Country Michael Kamen Mancini Frances Preston