Ramona’s Gift of Music to Host First Fund Raiser to Support Music Education Awards

Ramona’s Gift to Music will host its first fund raising event in support of its music education awards program. The event will be held on Saturday, April 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Lily Flanagan’s Pub, located at 345 Deer Park Avenue in Babylon and will feature a buffet dinner, full open bar and live music.

The Ramona’s Gift of Music Awards program was created to help young musicians develop their talents and keep alive the memory of Ramona Cuellar Mangione, a clarinetist and 1984 Copiague High School graduate who passed away suddenly at the age of 24. The first music education award was presented in 1991. This year two graduating seniors from Copiague High School will receive awards to help them to continue their music education in college. The award program is expected to expand beyond Copiague High School as the nonprofit 501(c)3 foundation grows.

“Ramona’s passion for music was inspiring to everyone around her. Her gift of music was an important part of her life and she would be so pleased to know that talented young people who share her love of music will be able to further their music education in college because of the scholarships being made available to them in her memory. It is most heartwarming to know there are so many generous people who want to support Ramona’s Gift of Music Education Award s program by attending our first fund raiser at Lily Flanagan’s Pub,” said John Mangione.

Ramona began playing the clarinet at an early age in large part to her father, who had a passion for music. She was an honored music student who gained accolades in NYSSMA, All State Band and All County Band, and performed private recitals under the tutelage of renowned clarinetist Naomi Drukker.

Tickets for the April 1 event are $75 per person; sponsorships are also available. For event details, visit www.RamonasGifttoMusic.org or email info@RamonasGiftoMusic.org or call 631-513-5382.

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