The  Music Institute of Long Island, located in Manhasset at the Manhasset Community Reformed Church has been playing holiday concerts at the Cerebral Palsy Nassau, located in Roosevelt, Nassau County for over thirty years.

This year the holiday concert on Dec. 23 became the ” Larry Kushner Memorial Concert,” after a beloved member of the CPN community who passed away during the pandemic and brother of the owners of the music school, Carol and Geri Kushner.

During the pandemic, MILI brought the holiday concert via zoom so the Cerebral Palsy Nassau, community and the music students would not miss performing the holiday concert.

This year, MILI returned to an in person concert.  The performer’s ages ranged from six years old up to sixty , including alumni and former parents. Spreading holiday cheer playing songs such as we Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Hanukkah medly.

Following the concert a friend of Larry’s, Danielle Gordon gave Carol and Geri memory bottles that she had made and gave a speech about how the community misses the kind and funny member of their community on a daily basis.  It was a very touching presentation for Danielle, Cerebral Palsy Nassau, and the Kushner sisters.

The Cerebral Palsy concert attendees loved the concert.

They told Carol and Geri how they look forward to this concert every year!  The parents and students who performed were so happy to be a part of this special concert bringing joy to those who are less physically fortunate and may not be able to attend live concerts!

The MILI performers and parents plan on coming to next years holiday concert.

As Ludwig van Beethoven said “Music can change the world.”