GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - The St. Cecilia Music Center announced Monday they've received a $1 million endowment from the Estate of Peter M. Wege.
Wege died in June. Last week, the Grand Rapids Ballet also announced they had received $1 million from Wege's estate.
St. Cecilia says they plan to dedicate next week's annual Great Artist Gala to Mr. Wege in recognition of the gift.
"Everyone at St. Cecilia Music Center is beyond thrilled with this news and we feel so very privileged to be remembered by Mr. Wege in this way," said Cathy Holbrook, Executive Director of St. Cecilia Music Center in a press release. "When Mr. Wege's daughter, Mary Nelson, called to tell me this news I was flabbergasted. Mr. Wege had been a long-time generous supporter of SCMC but we were not expecting a bequest from him. This is the largest single donation SCMC has ever received in our 131 years history. We are so grateful to Mr. Wege and the Wege family."
St. Cecilia Music Center's Great Artist Gala takes place next week on September 18, 2014. The concert on the 18th brings 20-time Grammy winner and jazz pianist Chick Corea with his band the Vigil to Grand Rapids.
Tickets for the Great Artist Gala dedicated to Peter Wege can be purchased by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224 or visiting the box office at 24 Ransom Ave. NE. or online at www.scmc-online.org.