April 26, 2024

Above & Beyond

Choir group portrait — Several Mt. Lebanon residents are members of the Harmony Singers of Pittsburgh. The group will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York on May 28. The singers have been to the big stage three previous times, most recently in 2016.

HARMONY SINGERS HIT THE BIG TIME The Harmony Singers of Pittsburgh are headed to Carnegie Hall.

The group has five members from Mt. Lebanon: Roberta Gerson, Norinna Daubner, Carol Reece, Fred Goellner and Eileen Jacobs—who will take the stage on Tuesday, May 28, in Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.

The Harmony Singers will be part of a 200-strong chorus in a premiere of composer Heather Sorenson’s original six-movement work, These Ancient Words at a joint choir performance A chamber orchestra will accompany the choir. The performance is part of the Distinguished Concert Singers International (DCINY) Concert Series in New York City.

“We are thrilled to be returning to sing at Carnegie Hall for the fourth time, “ said Cynthia Pratt, Harmony Singers director. “It was wonderful to be given this invitation due to the personal recommendation of Heather Sorenson.” Previous trips were in 2008, 2011 and 2016.

“Many going from The Harmony Singers this time were not on the previous trips, so it’s a very exciting opportunity. The main thrill is being on the stage of Carnegie Hall where so many famous people have performed throughout the years, and looking out at the beautiful architecture and decor of the hall,” Pratt said.

The Harmony Singers of Pittsburgh are celebrating their 57th season.

Tickets to the Carnegie Hall event can be purchased from the box office at www.CarnegieHall.org or by calling (212) 247-7800.

Group of runners on a road. — Runners ascend a steep Cochran Road during the Martha’s Run 10k Marathon. The marathon, named after fallen FBI agent Martha Dixon, is in its 24th year of raising funds to benefit playground projects in the community. Dixon was an avid runner and had a passion for children. /Photo: John Schisler

ANOTHER MARTHA’S PLAYGROUND The Martha Fund, the nonprofit organization that holds the annual Martha’s Run 10K and walk, announced its most recent grant of $10,000, to assist in the construction of a new playground at Trafford Elementary School.

The fund was created in memory of Mt. Lebanon native Martha Dixon, an FBI agent who was killed in the line of duty in 1994. The first Martha’s Run was in 1996, and since then the proceeds have raised more than $500,000 for playground equipment throughout the region. The Trafford playground is the 23rd that the fund has supported.

DANDELION KIDS WINS GRANT Congratulations to Dandelion Kids, 2892 W. Liberty Avenue in Dormont, for winning the $25,000 EmpowerHER grant, presented by the Pittsburgh Penguins and 84 Lumber.

Colleen Wisniewski, Sunset Hills, and her sister-in-law, Meghan McLane, are business partners in the secondhand shop that sells gently used baby and children’s clothing and offers welcoming space to support new parents. The store was featured in the November, 2023, issue of Mt. Lebanon Magazine.

The EmpowerHER Grant is given to local woman-owned businesses and is a part of 84 Lumber’s L.I.F.T. (Leading & Inspiring Females to Thrive) program with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“We are so overwhelmed with gratitude for the support that this community has shown us, and could not be more proud to be a part of it. We plan on pouring every bit of this grant back into building up this community that has welcomed, encouraged, and supported us,” said Wisniewski.