The Harbor Salutes The Arts
The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts was established in 1970 by the Harbor for Girls and Boys to give youngsters from the inner city high-caliber training in the arts. Many of its graduates have gone on to successful careers in the theater, film, dance, and music worlds.
On Monday the accomplishments of the conservatory students will be showcased in "The Harbor Celebrates the Arts," a benefit for The Harbor for Girls and Boys, formerly known as Boys Harbor. The cocktail reception, buffet, and theater performance will take place at the Harbor's center at One East 104th Street at Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and the Hackscher Theater.
The Harbor is a nonprofit educational youth agency in East Hampton and New York City founded 60 years ago by Tony Duke.
Future Stars?
The benefit will feature Peter Duchin, one of the honorary benefit chairmen, performing with conservatory students, and will pay tribute to the late Dr. Richard (Lonnie) Williams, who was the Harbor's executive director for 26 years.
The conservatory provides preprofessional training for children aged 4 through 18 in instrumental music, voice, dance, and theater arts. It encourages public performance early in the students' training. Members of the conservatory's Gestures Dance En semble, Jazz and Latin Ensembles, 100% Ham Skit Comedy Ensemble, and Classical Music Departments have all performed before audiences.
Conservatory students have recently landed roles in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical "Whistle Down The Wind" and Paul Simon's forthcoming "Capeman"; have enrolled in the Juilliard School, and have performed in the Aspen Summer Music Festival.
Latin Music Archive
But the longtime director of the conservatory, Sandra Owen, now director of institutional advancement, stressed that its goal is not limited to nurturing artistic talent. "We have long felt that we are teaching for more than simply putting kids on stage," she said. "We also feel very strongly that the arts improve a student's ability in general to succeed."
She noted that artistic training not only enhances self-expression and self-esteem but also improves academic performance and concentration. Studies have shown that learning to decode music can improve students' general reading skills, she added.
The conservatory is also known for its Latin music archive, which contains rare photographs, original arrangements and scores, audio and video recordings, books, magazines, articles, and interviews with artists. It is the most comprehensive such archive in the country.
Robeson As Emcee
The master of ceremonies for Monday's event will be Paul Robeson Jr. A Harbor alumnus, Vincent Henry, currently featured in the orchestra of "Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk," will join the performing students.
Sherry Bronfman, Susan and Charles Avery Fisher, Jane and Alfred Ross, and Barbara Smith and Dan Gasby are chairing the benefit. Serving as honorary benefit chairmen, along with Mr. Duchin, are Brooke Hayward and Alexandra Danilova.
Cocktails and a buffet supper will be served at 6:30 p.m., with the theater performance set for 8. Tickets may be reserved by calling Donna Rich, the benefit's coordinator, at (212) 362-2233.