Accomplished Local Artists Present Concert Event to Benefit Somerset Medical Center Foundation

Somerville, N.J. (February 4, 2010) – Bridgewater-Raritan High School graduate Caroline Dowd-Higgins, a multi-faceted artist and founder of a nationally-renowned female vocal group, will partner with pianist J. Anthony Strong for a special concert event, “The Grateful Diva,” to benefit Somerset Medical Center Foundation. The event will take place on Friday, March 5, 2010, at 8 p.m. at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC). Audience members will enjoy classic Broadway songs from shows including “My Fair Lady,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” and “Guys & Dolls,” as well as an array of classical opera arias from Puccini to Wagner.

A long-time advocate for the arts, Caroline Dowd-Higgins and her vocal group, The Grateful Divas, perform benefit concerts nationally to raise funds and awareness for non-profit and charitable organizations. Born in New York City and raised in Bridgewater, Ms. Dowd-Higgins has a special connection with the local community and with the Somerset Medical Center. Her father, Martin Dowd, serves as a trustee of Somerset Medical Center Foundation. J. Anthony Strong, pianist and Assistant Professor of Music at RVCC’s Visual Performing Arts Department, has been with the college since 1985 and is currently the Department’s Coordinator of Music.

“We are thrilled to announce this exciting event that will bring local families and friends together to enjoy a night of music and wine tasting, all while contributing to a great cause,” said Paul Huegel, president of Somerset Medical Center Foundation. “Generous contributions of time and talent from individuals like Ms. Dowd-Higgins and Mr. Strong, as well as community members who attend the event, are instrumental to our ability to provide the quality of care that is the hallmark of Somerset Medical Center.”

Proceeds from the event will aid Somerset Medical Center Foundation in its ultimate goals of enhancing the Medical Center’s facilities, technology and patient care, which allows for improving and saving lives within the community. The only hospital in its county, Somerset Medical Center provides the most comprehensive health care in a patient-friendly environment.

For premier seating ticket holders, the evening will include an intimate pre-concert reception beginning at 6:30p.m.featuring Chris Cree, one of only 29 American Masters of Wine and owner of 56º Wine in Bernardsville, and a tasting of artisan Champagnes and food pairings, followed at intermission by a special selection of desserts and dessert wines and ports. Cost is $125 per person for the wine tasting and concert. For an invitation or additional information contact the Foundation at 908.685.2885 or online at www.smcfoundation.com

Tickets for the concert alone are also available and are on sale at three-tier pricing through RVCC online or the box office at https://www.choicesecure01.net/mainapp/eventschedule.aspx?clientid=raritanvalley.

Prices are $25, $50, and $75 per seat. Seniors receive a $5 discount. RVCC students, faculty, and administration, as well as students from other schools, will receive a discount on tickets with school ID. Those with a RVCC ID will receive 50% off the ticket price. Other students will receive a $5 discount.

About Somerset Medical Center
Somerset Medical Center is a nationally accredited, regional medical center providing comprehensive emergency, medical/surgical and rehabilitative services and a broad range of community programs to Central New Jersey residents. The medical center is a major clinical affiliate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a clinical research affiliate of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. For more information please visit www.somersetmedicalcenter.com.

About Caroline Dowd-Higgins
Specializing in opera and classical music, her talents have been captured through live stage performances, recordings, and television. She sang in Urbania and Pesaro, Italy with the Goodwill Concert Tours and performed for 3 seasons with the Dorset Opera in England in addition to a myriad of concert work in various American cities including New York, Seattle, Atlanta, and Chicago. She has released two classical CD recordings and has a third in progress. A member of the Bridgewater-Raritan High School West Class of 1984, Ms. Dowd-Higgins now lives in Indiana but truly calls Somerset County her home.

About J. Anthony Strong
Mr. Strong has been featured at the International Banff Festival, toured nationally as vocal accompanist for the Bolla Wines Young Artists Series, and recorded chamber music for violin and piano with Cenek Vrba, concertmaster of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. He has performed as soloist, accompanist, and chamber musician throughout New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area.


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