Mercantil Commercebank HOSTS RECEPTION FOR DRANOFF INTERNATIONAL TWO PIANO FOUNDATION
Event honored Academy Award and Grammy Nominee Sir Richard Rodney Bennet

Coral Gables, FL - March 17, 2008

Mercantil Commercebank, N.A., one of the largest privately held banks in South Florida, recently held a cocktail reception for the Dranoff International Two Piano Foundation in honor of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, one of Britain’s most respected composers and the recipient of an Academy Award and Grammy nomination.  The event was held at the Mercantil Commercebank headquarters in Coral Gables and included a piano recital.

Mercantil Commercebank has supported the arts in the communities it serves for over 27 years. On this occasion, the Bank hosted a reception joining efforts with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and the Dranoff Two Piano Foundation welcoming Academy Award and Grammy Nominee Sir Richard Rodney Bennet to their headquarters.
“This event reaffirms Mercantil Commercebank’s commitment to support the talent of individuals who add cultural diversity to our community,” said J. Guillermo Villar, President and CEO, Mercantil Commercebank. “We look forward to continue joining efforts with community leaders to welcome the sponsor this type of artistic expressions in our city.”

Don Slesnick, Mayor of Coral Gables, and Maxine Long, President of the Board of Directors of the Dranoff International Two Piano Foundation were present at the event as co-hosts. The reception reunited Bank senior executives, community leaders, and recognized personalities in academic fine arts like Shelly Berg, Dean of the University of Miami’s School of Music, Dr. Kathleen L. Wilson, Director of Florida International University’s School of Music and Eduardo Marturet, Music Director and Conductor of the Miami Symphony Orchestra. Music Director of the Miami Symphony Orchestra  

Sir Richard Rodney Bennett was presented an award as an honorary citizen of the City of Coral Gables by mayor Slesnick.
“It is a great honor to be able to recognize the talent of musician Sir Richard Rodney Bennet and the Dranoff International Two Piano Foundation at the Mercantil Commercebank headquarters,” said Don Slesnick, Mayor of Coral Gables. “Mercantil Commercebank is a fine institution that works with us at making possible a more diverse cultural life in our city, supporting artistic expressions that enhance the exposure to fine arts in our community.”

The evening ended with a performance by Petros Moschos and Dimitris Karydis, Greek pianists members of the piano duet Anthitesis. Their performance paid tribute to Sir Richard Rodney Bennett by performing a few of his famed pieces from the Romantic and Classical Periods.  The duet has won numerous awards including XII International Schubert Piano Duo Competition in the Czech Republic, and 1st Prize at the XVI “V. Bellini” International Piano-Duo Competition.
“We are honored to have Mercantil Commercebank pay tribute to Sir Richard Rodney Bennett,” said Long. “We are fortunate to have the help of an organization which recognizes the importance of funding arts programming in our community.”

The Dranoff International Two Piano Foundation was founded in Miami by pianist Lorretta Dranoff in 1987. The foundation aims to help duo pianists build their careers and sponsors an international competition devoted exclusively to the duo pianism, held biennially in Miami, Florida. Since its inception, the Dranoff International Two Piano Competition has been judged by world renowned pianists, piano teachers, music critics and journalists, and has introduced 64 brilliantly talented young piano duos from around the world to concert audiences in Miami and the world. Loretta Dranoff’s work has inspired some U.S. conservatories to establish graduate programs in two-piano literature and performance, and helped place South Florida on the international map of competitions. 

Mercantil Commercebank’s mission is to be recognized as a superior provider of quality financial services in the markets it serves. Since its establishment more than 27 years ago, the Bank has been honored with official recognitions that highlight its good standing and its continued involvement with the community as corporate citizens. 

Back to top