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Sara Bareilles in spotlight at benefit concert

An evening of music, food and wine at an Atherton estate will benefit the music education program Music for Minors and the West Coast Songwriters on Saturday, July 11.

Sara Bareilles, Eoin Harrington, and the two-sister act Karmina will perform at the event, sponsored by Heart of Silicon Valley. Sara Bareilles was a 2009 Grammy Award nominee for Song of the Year ("Love Song") and Best Female Vocal Performance.

The fundraiser, at the home of Heidi Roizen and David Mohler, begins at 5 p.m. with a reception. The concert and an auction will take place from 6:30 to 8:30. "VIP ticket" holders will be treated to an artist reception and performance, set to begin at 8:30.

Music for Minors, which serves elementary schools in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, is a nonprofit founded as public school music programs began to decline and disappear in the wake of the 1978 passage of state Proposition 13. Through the efforts of volunteers in the classroom, it aims to fill the gap for schools that can't afford their own music programs, according to Mona Williams of Menlo Park, who was appointed the organization's executive director last November.

"Early music education helps build students' abilities in areas from reading to science to math proficiency," Ms. Williams says.

Recent studies have shown that people exposed to music education "are more likely to be engaged citizens, go on to higher education, have higher paying jobs and strive more for personal excellence," according to a press release from Music for Minors.

Whereas Music for Minors serves young children, West Coast Songwriters offers education and support to older kids and adults who are exploring a career in music or who have already established a presence in the music industry.

Tickets for the July 11 event, which includes both live and silent auctions, are $125 for general seating, and $300 for VIP seating and benefits. For tickets, visit www.hosv.org.

For information on the benefiting organizations, visit www.mfm.org and www.westcoastsongwriters.org.