MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC ANNOUNCES ALEGRE FIESTA BALL BENEFIT

Merit School of Music is celebrating its merger with Alegre Strings at the Alegre Fiesta Ball, a black-tie benefit on Saturday, December 8, 2001 at the South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago. The Alegre Strings program of the Merit School of Music is comprised of two components: in-school instruction with Merits Project BEGIN, and a performing ensemble of approximately 30 young musicians. Alegre Strings gives students the opportunity to play in concerts throughout Chicago.

CHICAGO - Merit School of Music is celebrating its merger with Alegre Strings at the Alegre Fiesta Ball, a black-tie benefit on Saturday, December 8, 2001 at the South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago. Tickets are $75, and corporate sponsorship packages are available. Entertainment will feature renowned Latin-percussionist Ruben Alvarez and be combined with student performances by the Merit Honors Jazz Ensemble and the Alegre Strings ensemble.

The Alegre Strings program of the Merit School of Music is comprised of two components: in-school instruction with Merits Project BEGIN, and a performing ensemble of approximately 30 young musicians. Alegre Strings gives students the opportunity to play in concerts throughout Chicago. Founded in April of 2000 in Chicagos Latino community, the program continues to enjoy a strong grass-roots representation among Latino families.

Alegre Strings frequently performs throughout Chicago and has had recent engagements for Presidente Fox of Mexico, the opening of the Mexican Fine Arts Museum, and has been featured on Univision, Mi Familia, and the Chicago Park Districts cable program Come Out & Play.

Merit is excited to include Alegre Strings within Merits unique curriculum. Lauded across the country as a model, this curriculum is designed to help children achieve their full musical potential and to give young people a sense of purpose by stimulating personal and educational growth. In keeping with Merits mission, over 95% of Merit students receive some form of financial assistance.

The Alegre Fiesta is an event of the Associate Board and the Alegre Strings Advisory Board, both of the Merit School of Music. The Merit Associate Board is a group of young Chicago-area professionals committed to supporting the Merit School of Music. Associate Board members work to develop new sources of support and to increase public awareness of the schools programs and services. Their goal is to develop as a model group of philanthropic leaders and next-generation advocates for the musical arts.

The Alegre Fiesta will begin at 7:00 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner from Lalo's Restaurant and Adobo Grill, student performances, a silent auction, and dancing. For event information or to purchase tickets, contact Abby Stein at 312.786.9428 x724.

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