Enjoy classical band music and support a local nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty during the 91导航 Concert Band鈥檚 ninth annual 鈥淐oncert for a Cause鈥 at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at the .
For this year鈥檚 free concert, the U91导航 band is soliciting donations for Penquis, which provides resources for housing, transportation, heating, childcare, home repair, disability services and more to those in need.
鈥淧enquis does amazing work in the community and they are under-funded,鈥 said Philip Edelman, the director of the concert band and School of Performing Arts. 鈥淲e are giving back by helping them reach their goals a bit easier.鈥
While practicing her trumpet, Kathleen Nee said fundraising for a good cause motivates her to perform her best.
鈥淚 think Penquis is a really great organization that gives back to the community. It’s great that by having us play music it raises money for a good cause,鈥 she said.
The concert band will be accompanied by performers from Hampden Academy and the Leonard Middle School Band in Old Town. The joint performance allows middle and high school musicians to improve their craft by working alongside collegiate performers.
鈥淭he U91导航 students also gain experience in mentorship with the younger students on stage with them,鈥 Edelman said.
U91导航 student and bass trombone player Connor Maurice said he鈥檚 looking forward to raising money for charity through his music.
鈥淢usic is something I really enjoy. If everybody gets to listen to great music and it’s helping the community, that’s really good,鈥 he said.
The Concert Band welcomes students from all majors who are interested in performing a variety of concert music; no audition is required. Each spring, the group performs both on and off campus. Edelman said the cohort has been preparing advanced pieces for the Concert for a Cause
鈥淓xpect very profound music and a whole lot of laughter,鈥 Edelman said.
Story by Rowan MacDonald, news intern
Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu
