The Sorel Organization

The Elizabeth & Michel Sorel Charitable Organization was founded in 1996 by their daughter Claudette Sorel. The Foundation's mission is to keep musical excellence alive and help stretch the boundaries for women in music. Ms. Sorel's stated priorities were composition, scholarships, internships, and sponsorship of lectures, workshops and performances.

The Sorel family traveled to New York in 1940 from France on the last voyage of the luxury liner Normandie, which was sailing under blackout restrictions because of the German U-boat threat. "Even the dinnerware was bolted down to reduce noise that might be detected by the prowling submarine fleet," Ms. Sorel recalled. Her mother, a Hungarian fashion model, and her father, a French businessman, were traveling with their young piano prodigy, Claudette. France did fall to the Nazis and the Sorels were stranded in New York, Claudette enrolled in the Juilliard School, from which she graduated at age 9. She transferred to Columbia University and received a degree in Mathematics magna cum laude, and made her Carnegie Hall debut in 1943 at the age of 10. Since the 1950's, Ms. Sorel led a personal crusade for etiquette and manners in the arts, including publishing her book, Mind Your Musical Manners. She was named a Distinguished Professor at SUNY Fredonia after 13 years of teaching. At the death of her mother in 1991, Ms. Sorel became a New York City landlady. She said at the time, "Five years ago I didn't know what a boiler was but I want to prove to myself that I can still learn." Ms. Sorel did learn. Her business decisions make this foundation possible. She died in 1999, leaving a legacy of talent, etiquette, business savvy, and opportunity for all musicians with an emphasis for women's careers.