GINNY MANCINI is a long-time supporter of the Southern California arts community. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she enjoyed a flourishing singing career, performing with Mel Torme and the Mel-Tones and the Tex Beneke Orchestra before marrying composer/conductor Henry Mancini in 1947. Ginny is president and one of the founding members of the Henry Mancini Institute and chairman emeritus, past president and co-founder of the Society of Singers. In addition, she is one of the founding members of UCLA’s School of Arts and Architecture Board of Visitors, and as the past president of the Royce Centre Circle Performing Arts at UCLA she was honored for her “Outstanding Leadership” in 1998’s reopening of Royce Hall for her years of dedicated philanthropic service to the University.
In 1999 Ginny was presented with the “Heart of LA Award” by HOLA for her commitment to the youth of Los Angeles, and was also the recipient of the 1999 “Heritage of the Music Center Award” for her significant contribution to the advancement of the performing arts. In 2000 the Friendly House bestowed their “Global Arts Award” on Ginny in recognition of her unending support of the arts worldwide. She is an honorary member of the Music Center Blue Ribbon Board, and is a member of the Music Center Board of Governors. Ginny is secretary of the Geffen Playhouse and a director of the ASCAP Foundation. She has served on the Los Angeles Philharmonic Board of Directors since 1989, and has been a member and past president of SHARE since 1954. Ginny was named “Mother of the Year” in 1983 by the Helping Hand of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in recognition of her charitable work. In 1988 she was honored with the “Angel Award” by the International Society of Performing Arts Administrators for her untiring efforts on behalf of the arts, and in 1989 was given the “City of Hope” award by the Sportsman’s Club – City of Hope in appreciation of her humanitarian efforts.
In 1997 she received the “Class Act” award by the Los Angeles Unified School District benefiting the Friends of the School Volunteer Program. In 1997 Ginny gave Jack Elliot her blessing to establish the Henry Mancini Institute, which for ten years provided emerging professional musicians from around the world performance and composition opportunities, established music education programs for students in Los Angeles schools, and offered free community combo performances showcasing HMI alumni. In 2006 the HMI presented Ginny with the “Legacy support the Institute, and for her unceasing dedication to keeping music education alive and flourishing.