Benefit Concert Honoring Tom McGuire
We cordially invite you to join us for the 6th Annual Brighter Futures Through Music Event! This annual event honors the late Tom McGuire’s passion for music and his dedication to children’s welfare. Tom was committed to building a better world through his philanthropy.
There are several opportunities to sponsor our event with Featured Artist 2025 GRAMMY Award Winner Taylor Eigsti, as well as bid on the art auction. Proceeds benefit Community Music School, whose mission is to enrich and inspire children through music instruction.
Click here to RSVP or be a sponsor.
Can't attend but want to contribute? Click here.
Featured Artist
Two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning NYC-based pianist and composer Taylor Eigsti started playing the piano when he was four years old. Growing up in Menlo Park, CA, Eigsti was quickly labeled a prodigy, and has since released 9 albums as a bandleader, in addition to appearing on over 80 albums as a sideman.
In February 2025, Eigsti won his second GRAMMY® Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for his ninth album “Plot Armor” (2024, GroundUP Music), following a 2022 GRAMMY® Award win for his eighth album “Tree Falls” (2021, GSI Records) in the same category.
His career includes performances at world-renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and Lincoln Center, as well as collaborations with legendary artists across jazz, classical, and popular music. Eigsti’s journey, from early access to music education to global artistic recognition, underscores the mission of Community Music School and the lasting impact of nurturing young talent.
Art Show and Silent Auction
More than two dozen original pieces donated from local artists are available for auction and will be on display in the Fletcher Theater lobby during the event, including still life, seascapes, landscapes, and more. Click here to preview the art pieces, and online bidding begins in 2026. Bidding is open through May 5, with final bids immediately following the performance on May 5, or "buy now" online. All proceeds support Community Music School.
Call for Artists
Community Music School invites local and regional artists to contribute original artwork to this special silent auction benefiting our Brighter Futures Through Music fundraiser. Participating artists will receive recognition on the CMS website, promotion through event marketing and social media, and visibility during the event. Your donated artwork directly supports equitable access to high-quality music education for students across our community. Click here to access the art submission form. To submit the form or for more information on the art auction, email Bob McDevitt at McDevitt0511@gmail.com or text at 919-306-4527.
Brighter Futures Through Music
Community Music School is a perfect match for honoring Tom McGuire’s legacy. CMS has offered high quality personalized music education to underserved Wake County youth for more than 30 years, and served 200 students this year.
Tuition is as low as $1 per lesson and instruments are supplied free of charge for students’ use. Paid professional faculty are dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to the life-changing benefits of music education.
Reaching our fundraising goal of $175,000 will strengthen experiences for students as CMS expands partnerships and offerings. CMS is the only organization in Wake County that provides private, personalized music instruction in multiple genres exclusively to socioeconomically challenged students.
We appreciate all of our supporters!
Platinum Sponsor $15,000+
- Anonymous
- Linda and Rob Grew
- Barbara McGuire
Silver Sponsors $5,000+
- Elizabeth and David Beam
- Branded Records
- AJ Fletcher Foundation
- Floyd Family Foundation*
- Smith Anderson
- TowneBank
- Chris and Charlie Wagner
- Aubrey Kerr Walker
- The Frank K. Webb Charitable Trust
Bronze $2,500+
- Joan and Prentiss Baker
- Marion Johnson Church
- Sallie and Gordon Grubb
- Donna Mooney-Haywood
- Evonne Hopkins
- Lyn Maness
- Jennifer and Andy Martin
- Lynn and Paul Reynolds
- Charlotte Wooten
Supporters $1,000+
- Carol and Robert Bilbro
- Nancy Brockman
- Kaja and Randolph Lee
- moss + ross
- Gwen and Leroy Reynolds
- Cece and Peter Scott
- Shelle and Phil Wheeler
- Beth Williamson
Friends $500+
- Armstrong McGuire
- Avance Care North Wake Forest
- Martha and Greg Crampton
- Madeliene Dobbins
- Georgia and Alec Donaldson
- S Worth Dunn
- Cynthia and John Ethridge
- David Finch
- Nell Joslin
- Martha Keravuori
- David and Erica Mash
- Bill Porter
- Kay Schoellhorn
- Liza and Joel Williams
Media Sponsors:
*multi-year pledge
For More Information Contact Executive Director Melanie Doerner at 919.832.0900 or mdoerner@cmsraleigh.org