The move to a new home and a remembrance of the late founding director is the focus of Community Music School Lehigh Valley & Berks’ (CMS) annual Spring Brunch and Silent Auction fundraiser, noon-3 p.m. April 28, Lehigh Country Club, Lower Macungie Township.

CMS will present an afternoon of music and reflections on the transformational move to the school’s new location, 1544 Hamilton St., Allentown, and honoring the memory of Martha Maletz, the inspirational founding director of the school, who died March 22.

“The annual brunch is our one large fundraising event of the year,” says Lisa M. Hopstock, CMS assistant director. “The goal is to raise at least $35,000 to support music education programming, scholarships and financial aid for deserving students, who otherwise would not be able to reap the life-long benefits of music study.”

She says the event, which usually attracts around 220, has been called “one of the best Gala-type events in the Lehigh Valley.”

Honorary chairs of the Gala are long-time CMS supporters and Lehigh Valley philanthropists Lona Farr and David Voellinger.

Farr is founder of Farr Associates Consulting and has more than 45 years of nonprofit management experience. She has been nationally-recognized for her accomplishments in capital and annual campaigns, planned giving programs, volunteer management, public relations and marketing.

Farr served in senior leadership positions at Muhlenberg College, DeSales University, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, and Diakon. She was on adjunct faculties at Moravian College, Alvernia College and Villanova University.

Farr volunteers at The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Allentown Symphony Orchestra, Muhlenberg College and Wildlands Conservancy. She is a member of the Boards of Associates of the Lehigh Valley Health Network and Cedar Crest College and was one of the first 14 people in the United States to receive the designation Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive.

Voellinger, a past president of the Community Music School Board of Directors. was Vice President for Communications and Human Resources at Farr Associates Consulting, a language trainer for Global Arena, and a Commissioned Minister, Federation of Christian Ministries.

In addition to CMS, his non-profit and management experience includes Development Director of Lehigh County Historical Society, Human Resources for Holiday Hair Companies, Vice President Marketing and Church Relations for Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, Admissions Director for DeSales University, and Trilingual Simultaneous Interpreter.

Voellinger served as chaplain to the Palace of Monaco, in personal service to Their Serene Highnesses, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco and family.

The family-friendly event includes a brunch buffet presented by Lehigh Country Club, a silent auction featuring local artists, and performances by Community Music School students and faculty on piano, violin, flute, guitar, ukulele, and more.

Featured faculty members include Dr. David Saturen, piano; Dr. Tzu-Hwa Ho, piano; Elaine Martin, flute; Linda Kistler, violin, and Carolyn Gaul, violin.

The music headliner is the Community Music School Big Band, directed by Clifford Haltzman Tracy. The band will perform hits such as “Rainy Day” by Jimmy Van Heusen, “Tuxedo Junction” by Glenn Miller and “April in Paris” by Vernon Duke, as played by Count Basie.

During the 2017-18 year, CMS provided more than $69,000 in financial aid and scholarships for music study. Support of the annual brunch helps the school to continue to provide the opportunity for those in the area’s diverse community to achieve excellence in music education, Hopstock said.

In September 2018, the school completed a much-anticipated move to its new location, which has allowed for expanded programming, more students, and new music opportunities for the Lehigh Valley community.

Deadline for brunch ticket reservations is April 19: brunch@cmslv.org; 610-435-7725. Information: cmslv.org/brunch.aspx.

If you have an item for “Good Cause,” or would like your fundraiser covered, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com