Wayne YMCA Concert Series Honors Legacy of Y Patron and Arts Advocate

By: Mollie Shauger | Friday, November 4, 2022 | News

Donna and Herbert Cole

WAYNE, NJ - A Wayne YMCA concert series aimed at introducing children to music and instruments will honor the legacy of Dr. Herbert L. Cole, a longtime board member, Wayne physician, and proponent of the arts. 

The “Let’s Play! Discovering Band Instruments” series at Rosen Performing Arts Center at the Y will be held on four dates starting in November. During the series, the North Jersey Concert Band will perform music highlighting a specific group of instruments: the first concert on Nov. 20 is “The Woodwinds;” Feb. 26 will feature “The Brass;” March 19 will be “The Percussion;” and on April 29, the concert pulls all those instruments together for “The Band.” Following the concert, participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the instruments during dialogue with the musicians.

The concert is sponsored by the Dr. Herbert L. Cole and Donna S. Cole Memorial Fund. Dr. Cole, a longtime Wayne resident and pediatrician who passed away in 2019, was active in the YM/YWHA of North Jersey, now known as the Wayne YMCA, throughout his life. He served on the Board of Directors for more than 40 years, from 1974-2019. During his tenure on the Board, he served as President from 1982-1985 and chaired several committees, including the Board’s cultural arts committee. He was honored with the Torchbearer Award in 2019 for his outstanding lifetime contributions to the Y and community. 

Donna Cole, whom he was married to for 64 years, was also a longtime Y staff member who held roles as director of senior programming and membership director. She passed away in 2017. The Y offers a college scholarship in her name for high school students interested in pursuing performing arts education, though it has been on hold due to the pandemic.

Upon his death in 2019, Dr. Cole left an unrestricted gift to the Y and this is the first Y program that a portion of his donation will be supporting.

“The Y was an enormous part of my parents’ lives,” said daughter, Liz Cole. “They felt very strongly about bringing the cultural arts to the Y and the suburban community, including its strong Jewish community.” 

Dr. Cole was also an accomplished pianist, his daughter said, and the concert series incorporates a range of musical genres, including Classical and klezmer, a Jewish folk music tradition. “This concert combines his love of music as well as his passion for children’s development,” said Liz Cole. 

"I am thrilled to honor the legacy of Dr. and Mrs. Cole by producing this concert series for children. Music is so important for children’s development on a social-emotional level, and it also helps promote school readiness and literacy,” said Wayne Y Cultural Arts Director Meryl Budnick. “We are grateful for the support of the Cole family as we find new opportunities to nurture kids' interests and talents so they can continue thriving."

Admission to the concerts is free for adults and $8 in advance, or $12 at the door, for children. The admission price includes a giveaway and pizza dinner. To purchase tickets, visit metroymcas.org/rosenpac.

Giving to the Y

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the Y is able to impact lives every day. So far this year, the Wayne Y has provided financial assistance to over 714 recipients, including children and families, so they can be part of Y programs. To learn more about ways to give, visit metroymcas.org/give or contact Dan Elwell at delwell@metroymcas.org.

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ABOUT THE Y

Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges invests in its diverse communities to promote wellness, safety and quality of life for children, adults and seniors. Its seven branches in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Hackensack, Hardyston, Stillwater and Wayne are committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility through an array of programs. Some 35,000 people belong to the Metro Y, which awards more than $2 million annually in direct and indirect financial assistance.