Each year, Perlman Suncoast presents education outreach programs in Sarasota and Manatee counties featuring graduates of The Perlman Music Program (PMP). PMP Alumni: In Schools brings alumni into elementary, middle and high schools, as well as special education schools and after-school programs, to educate and interact with students and teachers. PMP Alumni: Around Town offers free or low-cost performances and events in collaboration with local community venues and organizations. Super Strings provides young string musicians, ages 8-18, from across the state of Florida the opportunity to perform with the PMP String Orchestra during the PMP Sarasota Winter Residency, under the baton of Itzhak Perlman.
“When a middle school string student tells us how much they are inspired to keep practicing following a PMP Alumni visit to their school, we have to thank The Exchange for helping to keep our mission alive,” said Elizabeth Power, Perlman Suncoast Executive Director.
The Exchange has awarded over $8 million in grants and scholarships since its inception in 1962 to support the arts in Manatee and Sarasota counties. With more than 260 volunteers and 5,000 consignors, all of the scholarship and grant monies are generated through sales at their retail store in Sarasota.
About The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast
The Perlman Music Program Suncoast (Perlman Suncoast) cultivates audiences of all ages through classical music performances and education outreach programs, including hosting the PMP Sarasota Winter Residency and presenting PMP Alumni: Around Town and PMP Alumni: In Schools performances. Through its relationship with The Perlman Music Program (PMP), founded by Toby Perlman, and with a world-renown faculty, including internationally-acclaimed violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman, Perlman Suncoast offers the public the unique opportunity to witness the talent and spirit of extraordinarily gifted and promising young string students and accomplished graduates.
The 17-day PMP Sarasota Winter Residency provides valuable mentoring and performance opportunities for approximately 35 young international string musicians, ages 12-20+, and offers 20+ free and low-cost musical events on the campus of USF Sarasota-Manatee. The 2019-2020 PMP Sarasota Winter Residency will take place December 19, 2019 – January 4, 2020. The Celebration Concert, held on January 4, 2020 at the Sarasota Opera House, is the culmination of the Winter Residency, featuring the PMP Chorus, led by Chorus Master Patrick Romano and the PMP Orchestra, conducted under the baton of Itzhak Perlman.
