AUBURN - The theme was love Thursday night.

Ellen Baumes opened with "My Funny Valentine," a song by Rogers and Hart, to get things rolling at the "Music of the Heart," a performance at the Springside Inn.

Presented by Auburn's Tyburn Academy the dinner and music served as a celebration of Valentine's Day, and an opportunity for many local musicians to sing the songs they most enjoy.

"Any chance that I get to go out and sing, I take it," said local musician April Rejman. "This is a great opportunity to get together with fellow performers and have a great time with very appreciative people."

More than 250 people attended the Valentine's event for a dinner with loved ones and friends, or just to hear their favorite local musicians play tunes from the '40s, '50s and Broadway.

Auburn residents felt the event was a great way to support such a worthy cause.

Matt and Mary Rita Carnicelli, both retired teachers, attended because "we support all worthy educational functions."

"I feel very strongly about Catholic education and the people involved with this school. They are very dedicated individuals," Paul Lattimore Jr. said.

The Tyburn Academy opened in 1993 under the inspiration and direction of the Rev. Albert Shamon. Shamon, a well-known local priest and author, felt a strong need to make Catholic education available to the people of Cayuga County.

Shamon, with the help of other area residents, persevered and got the academy off to a solid start before he passed away.

Tyburn - now in its 12th year - is funded not only by tuition, but by donations, dinners, raffles and various fund-raisers. Contributors felt a strong need to make Catholic education available to the people of Cayuga County.

The night was blessed by the Rev. Berard Dudek, a Franciscan priest from St. Hyacinth's Church. He expressed great pleasure that there was "so much support for the academy."