With an evening of live music overlooking Manhattan’s glittering skyline, United Children’s Music Project (UCMP) will hold its annual fundraiser, A Night on the Hudson, on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 7 p.m. at Weehawken’s Chart House, located at 1700 Harbor Boulevard.
This cocktail reception will bring together community leaders, local businesses, and supporters to celebrate and raise funds for UCMP, which for 12 years has provided high-quality, low-cost, after-school music education for underserved children and youth in Hudson County.
Along with performances by UCMP’s talented student musicians and acclaimed Venezuelan opera star Maria Brea, attendees will enjoy a chance to connect with key community members, and to hear inspiring stories of how UCMP transforms the lives of local kids.
Special Guest Speakers and Honorees
This year’s event will honor the Turrell Fund, UCMP’s sponsor and cornerstone partner, for its dedication to improving the lives of children. The keynote speaker will be Weston Sprott, Director of the Juilliard School's Music Advancement Program (MAP), who will share his insights into the transformative power of music education led by community-based organizations like UCMP.
This year’s event will honor the Turrell Fund, UCMP’s sponsor and cornerstone partner, for its dedication to improving the lives of children. The keynote speaker will be Weston Sprott, Director of the Juilliard School's Music Advancement Program (MAP), who will share his insights into the transformative power of music education led by community-based organizations like UCMP.
"The Turrell Fund is grateful to be the United Children's Music Project's 2024 honoree,” said Evan Delgado, President of Programs for the Turrell Fund. “Turrell focuses on supporting the youngest and their families in New Jersey and Vermont. Expanding access to high-quality arts and education opportunities is a critical priority for the fund.”
Why It Matters
For over 12 years, UCMP has been providing children ages 3–18 with access to orchestral and choral music education, free instruments, and performance opportunities. Our after-school programs serve many children from families with limited resources, offering them a safe, creative space to build discipline, collaboration, and leadership skills. UCMP’s programs have been shown to improve academic performance, increase high school graduation rates, and open pathways to higher education and career opportunities.
For over 12 years, UCMP has been providing children ages 3–18 with access to orchestral and choral music education, free instruments, and performance opportunities. Our after-school programs serve many children from families with limited resources, offering them a safe, creative space to build discipline, collaboration, and leadership skills. UCMP’s programs have been shown to improve academic performance, increase high school graduation rates, and open pathways to higher education and career opportunities.
“A Night on the Hudson is not just an event—it’s a celebration of the power of music to change lives,” said Melina Garcia, UCMP’s founder and Executive Director. “We’re incredibly grateful to our community for their ongoing support, which allows us to continue transforming our students so they can fulfill their potential.”
Event Details
- Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: The Chart House (1700 Harbor Boulevard, Weehawken, NJ)
- Dress: Business
- Tickets: www.ucmusicproject.org
About The Turrell Fund
For over 80 years, the Turrell Fund has supported local and systems-wide work in early childhood and the arts. The Fund’s mission is to increase access and eliminate barriers to quality educational and developmental services for the youngest and their families. Visit turrellfund.org to learn more.
About The Juilliard School
Founded in 1905, The Juilliard School is a world leader in performing arts education. The school’s mission is to provide the highest caliber of artistic education for gifted musicians, dancers, and actors from around the world so that they may achieve their fullest potential as artists, leaders, and global citizens. For more information, visit www.juilliard.edu.
About Maria Brea
Born and raised in Venezuela, soprano Maria Brea is quickly making a name for herself across North America, with performances at Carnegie Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, Palais Garnier, David Koch Theater, and David Geffen Hall. The Juilliard grad’s dazzling range and intoxicatingly lush tones have been called “vocally thrilling” (ConcertNet). This season, you can catch Maria making her debut at San Jose Opera singing First Lady in Die Zauberflöte and as Ana Maria in Hector Armienta’s El Zorro with Arizona Opera. She will also debut in La Traviata as Violetta in a NYC concert version this fall.
About United Children’s Music Project (UCMP)
Founded in 2012, UCMP provides affordable, high-quality orchestral and choral music education to children and youth throughout Hudson County. By offering free instruments, intensive instruction, and regular performance opportunities, UCMP equips local kids with the tools to succeed academically, socially, and artistically. United Children’s Music Project has been recognized for its accomplishments by PBS, NPR, and Symphony Magazine, and has received the Russell Berrie Foundation’s Making a Difference Award. For more information about A Night on the Hudson, sponsorship opportunities, or UCMP, please visit www.ucmusicproject.org.
