ABOUT THE OPERA CLUB OF THE VILLAGES The Opera Club of The Villages was established in 1997 to present live performances to Villagers and establish a music scholarship program to honor the founder of The Villages, Harold Schwartz. Since it’s inception over $550,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to local students in Marion, Lake and Sumter counties who aspire to pursue a career in music. Due to Covid pandemic circumstances, the Harold Schwartz Music Scholarship Program has made some important changes for the 2020/21 season. Marty Taylor, Scholarship Chair, has researched and directed the following: In person auditions, originally planned for April 3, 2021, will now be online. When we receive the students applications, instructions will be sent to make a cell phone video that will be reviewed by the judging panel. The requirement for winners to perform in person and claim their awards in The Villages in late April has been waived. These changes were made to make it easier for eligible students. We are now in the process of communicating this news to Marion, Lake and Sumter County schools and to the students. More information is available on the Opera Club of The Villages website: www.OperaClubofTheVillages.com We are indebted to our members and friends who have generously donated in spite of not having monthly meetings. We appreciate their compassion and dedication to assuring we have sufficient funds to continue awarding Music Scholarships. We are very appreciative that we could present our annual fundraiser at The SharonŽ L. Morse Performing Arts Center this year. The Theme "Viva Amore" was chosen as a Valentine to all in attendance. The familiar songs of Mario Lanza and Enrico Caruso will help uplift your spirits. We are especially blessed that our artists, Fernando Varella, Edward Washington, Miguel Salas and Heather Ard will sing their hearts out - happy to be performing, happy to be helping our aspiring musicians, and happy to be here tonight accompanied by the celebrated Maestro, Bill Doherty, and Kathleen Kane, our Mistress of Ceremonies. Thank you, Gerri Piscitelli President Opera Club of The Villages
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