Submitted 03/31/2011
The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery presents a Memorial Program to pay tribute to Holocaust Survivors and Victims on Wednesday, April 6, at 1 p.m. This multi-media presentation will discuss how music played a role during the holocaust. Featured will be the music of Lawrence Dermer who has a string of multi-platinum successes and combined sales history of over 50 million records sold worldwide. Mr. Dermer has written and/or produced for Jennifer Lopez, Barry Manilow, Cher, Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Diana Ross and BB King just to name a few. Mr. Dermer is currently the Cantorial soloist at Temple Beth El in Fort Myers.
One of the more powerful songs that will be performed is “Souls Live On,” a song co-written by Mr. Dermer and his wife, Robin, from the perspective of a Holocaust survivor. With strings underscoring a plaintive piano/vocal, Mr. Dermer sings about the circle of life (“Millions gone/Maybe souls live on”). Recalls his BMI award winning writer and wife Robin, “I was so moved by how life could go on for those who endure unspeakable horrors and survive that I wanted to write a song of remembrance and faith. When Lawrence sings this song it brings people to tears. It’s amazing.”
The Bob Rauschenberg Gallery is located at 8099 College Parkway, on the Edison State College Lee Campus in the Humanities Hall, Building L. This performance is FREE and open to the public. No tickets or advanced reservations are required. This series has been created for the students of Edison State College with the support of Bob Rauschenberg Gallery Docents, Ron Bishop, Gallery Director and Lindsey Wollard, Assistant to Mr. Bishop and developed by Diane Coffman, Cellist.
