Because of the COVID- 19 pandemic, Community Music School Lehigh Valley and Berks is planning to take its annual fundraiser virtual for a second year in a row.

CMS Executive Director Jeff Reed said everyone is invited to join the CMS virtual “Brunch in a Bag” Silent Auction and Watch Party 12:30-2 p.m. April 25 on the nonprofit’s YouTube channel.

The watch party is free and will feature new musical performances by CMS faculty and students, a virtual tour of the school and a retrospective of the organization as it prepares to celebrate 40 years of quality music education in Allentown.

Musical selections include classical and contemporary pieces, such as L’Ete (Spring) by C. Chaminade, Gra for solo clarinet by E. Carter and Sonata for clarinet and piano by C. Saint-Saëns, as well as several original compositions.

CMS faculty members slated to perform are Carole Houghton, piano, Carolyn Gaul, violin, Clifford Tracy, saxophone, Dr. Tzu-Hwa Ho, piano, Dr. David Saturen, piano, Elaine Martin, flute, Joe Wagner, guitar, Jonathan Leeds, clarinet, Julia Walsh, soprano, Linda Kistler, violin, Nick Conti, trombone and Sunny Murthy, violin.

Because the school could not present its 2020 brunch in person, CMS will also be honoring its former Board President, Larry Johnson, at this year’s event.

The organization had planned to honor Johnson for his many years of service at the 2020 brunch.

Johnson retired in June 2020 after serving on the CMS board for 15 years and for nine years as its president.

Under Johnson’s leadership, CMS underwent several major transformations, including hiring a new school director in 2015, moving operations from Miller Symphony Hall to 1544 Hamilton St. in 2018, spearheading the successful capital “Campaign for CMS” in 2018-2020 and pivoting to remote operations and online-only music lessons and recitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning in March 2020.

A weeklong online silent auction began April 16.

Bidding closes 3 p.m. April 25, so guests will have time to finalize their bids after the watch party ends.

The auction includes a variety of items donated by local businesses and individuals, including works by local artisans, local restaurant gift cards and themed baskets to fit any budget.

Highlights of the auction include a KitchenAid mixer, a fine cigar basket and a wicker picnic basket with wine.

The CMS spring brunch has been held at Lehigh Country Club in late April for over 20 years and regularly draws over 200 guests for an afternoon of fine dining, silent auction and music by CMS faculty and students.

The funds raised from this event are crucial to help sustain programming and opportunities for students at CMS, allowing all students access to the lifelong benefits of quality music education, regardless of their background, age, ability or financial circumstances.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS was able to immediately pivot to online private music lessons.

In addition, CMS had to quickly transform and present its 2020 silent auction as an online fundraiser and cancel the planned in-person brunch.

During the pandemic, student need for financial aid has increased over 20 percent as numerous families faced sudden unemployment or reduced hours due to COVID-19.

The school has also faced reduced revenue from not being able to hold group classes and ensembles since March 2020.

CMS thanks the following headlining sponsors of the virtual brunch: Larry and Deb Johnson, Norris McLaughlin PC, BB&T, now Truist, Allen Organ Company, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Univest Financial, West Park Civic Association, Linda Kay Gardner, David and Dail Richie, Peter and Carmen Flosdorf, Kathleen Matthews, Tom and Shari Noctor and James and Mary Warfel.

The brunch committee is chaired by Linda Kay Gardner and includes Laura Burcaw, Cathy Coyne, Carmen Flosdorf, Lisa Hopstock Kulp, Jodie Hourt, Regina Luciano, Kat O’Connor, Jeff Reed, Ellen Roberts and Mary Warfel.

For more information on the event, browse the auction, make a donation or register for the watch party, visit https://cmslv.org/cms-brunch-2021/ or contact Lisa Kulp, assistant director, at lisa@cmslv.org or 610-435-7725.