Retiree Presents “Dolly’s Soirée,” a Fundraising Concert to Support Music Students

After more than 30 years at Howard Community College (HCC), Farida Guzdar retired from her position as executive assistant to the president in January 2018 and is enjoying every minute of her newfound free time. But she isn’t finished changing the lives of students, their families, and the community.

In 2012, she established the Guzdar Family Music Endowment to honor her late husband, Dr. Parvez Guzdar, for his lifetime of giving, commitment to helping others, and love of music. Since then, four students have received scholarships, and she hopes to help many more.

“I believe in supporting the arts because it brings joy and pleasure in today’s hectic world,” she said. “Supporting student scholarships is personal to me and other HCC employees because we see the need and the big difference we make through our support.”

“Farida has been such a wonderful friend and supporter of the music department. We frequently see her at our concerts, and the Guzdar Family Scholarship has benefited many of the music students. The faculty of the music department really look forward to being a part of this fundraising concert event,” said Hsien-Ann Meng, assistant professor, music and chair, music department.

While brainstorming ideas for fundraising, Guzdar dreamed up a concert where she could invite friends, showcase the scholarship recipients, and bring new people to campus. The event, which falls on June 2, 2018, is the birthday of Guzdar’s late mother, Dolly Patel.

“So I decided to name it ‘Dolly’s Soirée,’ she said. “It has a nice ring to it.”

Dolly’s Soirée, a fundraising concert for the Guzdar Family Music Endowment, will be held at 4 p.m. in the Monteabaro Hall, located in the Horowitz Center for Visual and Performing Arts at HCC. The event will feature a one-hour piano recital featuring faculty, including the Octtava Piano Duo (professors Wei-Der Huang and Hsien-Ann Meng) and students. The music recital will be followed by a reception in the lobby, hosted by Guzdar.

“I am picturing faculty and students playing piano, semi-classical music. Something the audience recognizes,” Guzdar said. “I love doing this kind of thing, and it’s a great way to raise money for my family endowment.”

For ticketing information on this concert, please contact the Howard Community College Educational Foundation at 443-518-1970.