Young Artists Philharmonic Honors Frank Gaudio- pt. 2
Maria Stich, Orchestra Administrator and Treasurer of the Young Artists Philharmonic and Frank J. Gaudio, President and CEO of The First Bank of Greenwich.
(Photo courtesy of Marilyn Roos Photography)
Last Monday, Frank Gaudio, the benevolent and high-octane President and Chief Executive Officer of The First Bank of Greenwich who was also the 2023 Greenwich Sentinel Foundation Award recipient, was honored at the Young Artists Philharmonic’s gala fundraiser event held at the Greenwich Water Club in golden style.
This heartwarming and dynamic event was centered around the celebration of the Young Artists Philharmonic, an organization based in Greenwich that is dedicated to the development and nurturing of young musical talent in the Fairfield and Westchester Counties, and drew many attendees who were thrilled to honor the efforts, commitment and role of Frank Gaudio and The First Bank of Greenwich in, not only this organization, but the community as a whole.
In addition to a series of amazing musical performances by both former and present members of the YAP as well as renowned guest artists, the highlight of the evening was when Gaudio had been presented with the YAP’s highest award for his lifelong work and dedication in regard to supporting music education in the community by Dr. Marcia Clay Hamilton of Greenwich, Trustee Emeritus at the Manhattan School of Music and past YAP honoree who expressed her heartfelt thanks and gratitude for his generosity and services.
“Tonight, Young Artists honors Frank Gaudio, a man who loves music, who values music education,” said Hamilton. “[He is] a man who has been a longtime supporter of this remarkable organization, but beyond Young Artists, Frank has given his time, talent, energy and commitment to supporting our Greenwich community and beyond both personally and through his role as President and CEO of The First Bank of Greenwich.”
Gaudio, meanwhile, was extremely grateful to have been honored by the Young Artists Philharmonic in such stellar fashion.
“I was deeply honored and am grateful for being acknowledged. I was given the opportunity to thank many of the people who helped me in my career,” said Gaudio. “All of the people there were amazing, as was the music. It was a beautiful night and I’m very excited for the organization.”
Others on hand at this event, including First Bank of Greenwich Board Directors Bruno Gioffre and John Fareri, as well as Connecticut State Senator Ryan Fazio, who presented Gaudio with a State Citation for his support of the YAP, echoed similar sentiments.
Emma Maini and the other talented members of the Young Artists Philharmonic members perform at last Monday’s Young Artists Philharmonic fundraiser event.
(Photo courtesy of Anthony Festa)
“Frank Gaudio and Young Artists Philharmonic both carry on important legacies in our community that have become, unfortunately, less common today,” said Senator Fazio. “In a coarsening culture, the YAP is developing great young people into great classical musicians and ensuring that we can enrich our culture and society with great music and artists for the next generation. In an increasingly concentrated corporate economy, Frank Gaudio is keeping the model of the community alive with his engagement with local businesses and local charitable causes. He is invested in this community as much as his clients and his support for the YAP will make our town and culture a better place for many years and I was proud to present him with a state citation with our entire Greenwich delegation saying precisely that.”
Other standout moments of the night included a performance by the YAP Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Ben Grow, who played in tandem with Marcelo Guzzo of Greenwich, the celebrated international Baritone opera singer.
Further adding to the excitement of the event, Carla Fabiani of Cos Cob, a former YAP student, capped off the evening’s musical tributes with an electric performance of several songs from the Broadway hit musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway’ that is currently playing at the Shubert Theatre and of which she is an orchestra member.
For more information on the YAP, please contact the organization at:
Young Artists Philharmonic
108 Sound Beach Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06870
203-208-8992
maria.stich@youngartistsphil.org
Frank Gaudio celebrates with his granddaughter, Monica (left) and his daughter, Lauren (right).
(Photo courtesy of Marilyn Roos Photography)
(Left to Right) Brenda Fareri, John Fareri, First Bank of Greenwich Board Director, Bruno Gioffre, First Bank of Greenwich Board Director and Frank J. Gaudio, President and CEO of The First Bank of Greenwich. (Photo courtesy of Marilyn Roos Photography, article by Maria Stich & Liz Leamy)