CHILDREN’S MUSIC FUND PRESENTS EIGHTH ANNUAL BENEFIT GALA

LOS ANGELES, CA (October 6, 2016)– On October 29, 2016 at 6:00pm, the Children’s Music Fund (CMF) will hold its eighth annual Healing Through Music benefit gala at the legendary The Village recording studios. With Halloween just around the corner, this year’s theme is “Masquerade” featuring a special performance by spokesperson Shana Halligan. The gala, one of the primary fundraisers for the organization, will also feature an auction, open bar and hors d’oeuvres style catering done by the renown Ronen Levy Events. Guests should prepare their favorite masks & formalwear for a glamorous night in support of music therapy.

CMF was established in 2002 by Dr. Raffi Tachdjian, an allergist and pediatric pain specialist. In its 14 years of service, CMF leads the mission to provide the healing power of music to chronically-ill children in and out of the hospital. Music therapy has always been Dr. Raffi Tachdijan’s mission in helping his patients. While Dr. Tachdjian was an intern at Massachusetts General Hospital, he found inspiration in one of his teenage patients, who had failed multiple experimental protocols for the treatment of his bone cancer. It was then that Dr. Tachdjian realized that the only thing that would elevate his patient’s spirits was his love of music. Knowing the patient was a virtuoso guitar player, Dr. Tachdjian was determined to find an instrument to help his patient focus on something other than his disease. Finding none in the hospital, Dr. Tachdjian set out to raise funds for some instruments. Reunited with a guitar, Justin began playing not only for himself, but also for the other patients on the ward. Sadly, Justin succumbed to his cancer 6 months later, but in that time, he had found joy again and shared it with his fellow patients, nurses, and doctors. Because of Justin and his music, patients and their families—as well as the surrounding nurses, doctors and staff—were more connected to one another and the isolation, which comes with illness, was reduced for everyone. Music was the key.

"The mission of Children's Music Fund is to provide music therapy for children with life-altering illnesses,” stated Raffi Tachdjian, MD, MPH, President and Founder of CMF. “Research shows that music therapy can have meaningful and lasting impact on children who are hospitalized or suffering from serious illnesses. It helps children build the confidence and positive attitude they need to better fight illness or disease and bring them joy through a very difficult process. We hope you’ll join us in providing the gift of music to these kids.”

Individual tickets to the Healing Through Music Gala event are $150 for General Admission and can be purchased by visiting EventBrite via http://ow.ly/T7yP304VmDE or on the CMF website via theCMF.org/gala2016. For information regarding sponsorships and event inquiries, please contact jason@thecmf.org.

About the Children’s Music Fund:

Children’s Music Fund (CMF) is a Los Angeles based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide musical instruments and music therapy to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with chronic or life-altering illnesses. CMF also supports research on the effects of music therapy. Through its community outreach and hospital programs, CMF serves children with a wide range of chronic and life threatening medical conditions and developmental disabilities, including cancer, hemophilia, cerebral palsy, juvenile arthritis, leukemia, muscular dystrophy, cleft palate, juvenile diabetes, cystic fibrosis and autism.

About The Village Studios:

Owned and operated by CMF Board Member Jeff Greenberg, The Village has welcomed quite a countless registry of artists, including hit names such as The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Taylor Swift and many, many more. The Village is also known for its soundtrack recordings, including music for major films such as Dead Poets Society, Almost Famous, and most recently The Revenant. Greenberg is a music industry mainstay, with a full background as a manager and concert promoter since his start in 1966. Under Nederlander, he booked and produced shows for incredible venues such as the Greek Theatre and The Pantages Theatre. As a former agent at ICM, he represented some of the best talent including James Taylor, Aerosmith, and Heart. Greenberg is currently a member of The Recording Academy.

About Shana Halligan:

Known as the lead singer​/songwriter of pop group Bitter​:Sweet, Shana Halligan stepped out on her own a few years ago, and recently released her second solo album, “Back To Me” on Plug Research Records. Halligan has sold more than 500,000 records and has accumulated over 70 album credits to her name. Other releases from Halligan include her solo debut EP “Paper Butterfly” and 2012 album “Richmond Parade.” Additionally, her music has been featured in numerous films, television programs and ad campaigns, including: Sex and The City, The Devil Wears Prada, The Blacklist, Orange Is The New Black, Entourage, Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and Victoria’s Secret, just to name a few. She’s also collaborated with many major acts, including writing and recording with Serj Tankian of System Of A Down and Thievery Corporation (co-writing and performing their biggest hit in recent years “Depth Of My Soul”), and has performed at several celebrated venues across the globe, including the Hollywood Bowl, the Royal Albert Hall (London), the Bowery Ballroom (NYC) and the Hotel Cafe (L.A.). Outside of her own music, Halligan also writes for other artists and is developing a TV project that combines her love for music and passion for cooking.

What CMF is All About

Our hearts ache when we see sick children, especially those suffering from severe chronic or terminal diseases. While doctors use medications to treat the symptoms, music can provide healing – both for body and soul. Engaging children in music making reduces pain, elevates the spirit and frequently, provides hope. The CMF is dedicated exactly to that.

We bring music instruments and provide music therapy to children and young adults who suffer from chronic conditions and life-altering illnesses across the land. We bring music to their life – in the hospital, at their home and regardless of their ability to pay – so it may help in their healing. We see the difference music makes, every day and for every child.

We believe in the power of music. But we need data to evaluate and support our claims. We are committed to research and constantly engage in work that measures the impact of music on children and on the healing process.

The Children's Music Fund
16133 Ventura Blvd., Suite 600
Encino, CA 91436
Contact/Press Contact: Jason Lui, Phone Number: (310)-428-0589

This release was published on openPR.