The Heart Strings Gala 2015 Raises $45,000 for Band of Angels

Meyer Music and Fox 4 News held the annual Heart Strings Gala on February 14, 2015 at the Bean Hangar Event Space at The Roasterie. As well as raising $45,000 for Band of Angels, the gala tugged at attendees’ heartstrings with a special music instrument presentation and a guest artist performance by Mark Pender. 

Over 300 Band of Angels supporters gathered at the The Roasterie’s Bean Hangar Event Space on Valentine’s Day for an evening of food, drinks, fun, music, dancing and raising money for the organization that helps students in need find music through the generosity of others.

And generous The Heart Strings Gala 2015 attendees were, raising $45,000 for Band of Angels. The money raised at this much anticipated annual event will go toward providing scholarships to Band of Angels students for summer music camp and will help fund developing an endowment that will allow the charity to carry on its mission and work should the organization itself end.

Dining on hors d’oeuvres and a dinner buffet, sipping signature cocktails and dancing the night away while supporting the cause was wonderful, but what took the evening to its peak was the guest soloist Morgan Cravens, an 8^th grader from DeSoto, KS and Mark Pender, famed musician and Grandview, MO native, currently living in Hollywood, CA.

A teary-eyed moment was felt by all when Morgan, a Band of Angels beneficiary and two-time summer music camper, experienced a thrill of a lifetime.  Morgan performed alongside Mark Pender, receiving a deserved standing ovation. Another highlight was when she was presented with a new silver B&S, Mark Pender signature model trumpet thanks to Francois Kloc of Buffet Company. The community has circled around Morgan, supporting her during the difficult period following her father’s passing.

If you missed the surprise presentation, you can watch a video of it. But be warned, it’s a tearjerker.

Though Morgan stole the show, Mark Pender, famed trumpeter, wowed the crowd with his playing. Mike Meyer, of Meyer Music, was introduced to Mark four years ago, and the two became friends. Mark accepted an invitation from Band of Angels to serve on the board. And when he was asked to be a special guest performer and presenter at the 2015 gala, Mark was honored to fly home for the event.

“We could not be more fortunate than to have Fox 4 News as our partner in Band of Angels,” says Mike Meyer, “Fox 4 is invested in the program and always lends a hand in any way that they can to support putting instruments into the hands of children who couldn’t play music otherwise. We enjoyed have on-air personalities attend the gala, and Fox 4 often helps us spread the word about the organization, events and cause. We’re proud and lucky to have them as a partner.”