MY FAVORITE COMPOSER, FRANZ SCHUBERT,
was often found sharing his music and latest compositions not in symphony hall, but in homes for small groups of people. He seemed to favor the home as a venue and he especially appreciated the new friends he made as a result. He was, in fact, known to say, "Happy is the man who makes a new friend!" Schubert had a purpose behind is concerts - making new friends. (continues below)

It is in the tradition of Schubert's European friendraising parlor concerts that the modern day private estate or home concert has come to be. After twenty-five years and over 750 private home concerts later, I have come to understand what a special place the private home is for sharing. The home is, afterall, the great place of friendship and it is in the spirit and philosophy of friendship that lives are touched and changed. It is in friendship that the mission and vision of the nonprofit organization is sustained.

David Packard once said to me, "Raise friends and you will raise funds." I believe that strongly and David's statement is the foundation of the private concert. It is also in the spirit of friendship that nonprofit organizations are able to build and sustain viable development efforts and towards this end, Schubert's home concert has been adapted specifically to help and aid select nonprofit organizations in their friendraising efforts. Nonprofit organizations have not just harnassed the home concert for donor development purposes; the home concert has also been harnassed for donor recognition, board development, board recruitment, captial campaigns, ladies tea concerts, and employee appreciation.

The results have been astounding as in the last twenty-five years, over 33,000 guests have attended one of over 750 private estate and or home concerts in the United States as well as overseas. An estimated $18 million has been generated to the benefit of the hosting nonprofit organization including hospitals, homeless shelters, schools, universities, and fine arts organizations.

There is no greater calling placed on our lives than to become involved in the lives of others - especially those who are in need. I am so grateful to have been shown a way to use my talents, giftings, and assets to aid others in their quest to wholeness. Schubert understood that ultimately the purpose of music and art was simply to share with others. It is in the spirit of sharing that we connect with others in meaningful and life changing ways and inspire them to do the same. It is in this spirit that my concerts today always have a purpose: to partner with the nonprofit organization and connect the rich with the poor, the educated with the uneducated, and the powerful with the powerless.

It is called philanthropy: the love of mankind.

A key component of the private concert is the exclusive showing of original works of art from The Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine Art including; works by Pablo Picasso, Peter Carl Fabergé, Adolf Pirsch, Giovanni Battista Pasqualini and others. From Impressionism, Cubism, to the Italian Rennaissance, antiquities, old master paintings and royal documents....many mediums and periods are represented.

At left, an audience member in a private concert has a remarkable encounter with history as she holds a priceless silver-gilt and enamel tea glass spoon made for Czar Nicholas of Russia in 1908 by the famed jeweler to the Imperial Court, Peter Carl Fabergé. Decorated in sombre shaded polychrome cloisonné enamels with flowers, scrolls, and geometric motifs with maker's mark in full below the Imperial warrant, it is astonishing to consider Fabergé spent almost 200 hours to create this spoon for the Czar. Perhaps even more astonishing, this audience member is holding this priceless work in her own hands.

Acquired from Sotheby's on January 27, 2000. Lot Number: B4R, The Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine Art. Researched by Sotheby's.

For more information regarding The Christian Thomas Lee Collection of Fine Art, please visit themercyfoundation.com.