Saturday night’s Hurricane Sandy benefit concert, sponsored by the Philadelphia International Music Festival, in Ocean City brought over 200 visitors to down to shore. Donations totaling over $1,000, have gone directly to the American Red Cross, who have sent over 15,000 skilled workers to the Jersey Shore to help with clean up and take care of the Sandy survivors since October.  Now, months after the storm, the Red Cross has turned their focus on long-term goals for shore restoration.

Noelle Casella, an American born cellist who recently completed her Master’s degree at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and Ellen Hannigan-Youssefian, a wonderful a pianist and graduate from Ocean City High School, accompanied the Marcucci sister’s Madison and Michal- daughters of PIMF co-founder Sandy Marcucci, while they delighted classical music lovers with pieces like Vivaldi’s Winter and Handel-Halveoson’s Passcaglia.  These talented young women have performed, worked, or studied with the members of the Philadelphia Orchestra and PIMF for a number of years prior to this concert.

This one night only event, could not have been made possible without the dedicated staff of Ocean City Tabernacle, the talented musicians, and classical music lovers like yourselves. PIMF would also like to thank the media coverage we received from the Press of Atlantic City and 6 ABC.

Please check back later this week for photos and video from the performance.