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Connecticut School's Concert Series
"Remembers When the Music"
 by
Mike Grayeb
The power of music to move people to action and to make a difference has long
been apparent to most Chapin fans, but are benefit concerts pretty much a thing
of the past?
Not in Hartford, Connecticut, where the University of Hartford has been hosting
its "MUSIC for a CHANGE" concert series since 2000. Over the last five years,
dozens of artists ranging from Richie Havens to Suzanne Vega to Wynton Marsalis
have performed before thousands of enthusiastic fans and helped to raise more
than $30,000 for local community causes.
Among the many local non-profit groups that have shared in the success of the
program are Foodshare (a local foodbank), the University of Hartford's Chapter
of Habitat for Humanity, the Connecticut Special Olympics, and LUNCH (Local
United Network to Combat Hunger).
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| LUNCH
will present "A Tribute to Harry Chapin" as part of the MUSIC for a CHANGE
concert series on Friday, April 8. Photo courtesy of
http://www.lunchensemble.com/ |
But it's not
just the money that helps the organizations. MUSIC for a CHANGE has also
provided very valuable publicity and new volunteers and supporters for the
groups as well.
Irwin Nussbaum, Associate Vice President for Student Life and Director of the
Office of Residential Life at the University of Hartford, began organizing the
MUSIC for a CHANGE program after he managed a similarly successful program from
1980 through 1990 at Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Nussbaum said experience has taught him that it's not always the biggest names
that result in the greatest audience response. "Although the midsize and larger
concerts like Art Garfunkel, Sean Colvin, and Jonathan Edwards have the largest
artist name recognition, sometimes the smaller, more intimate concerts leave the
audiences raving about the performer," he noted.
The key to the program is to partner with the local grassroots organizations
that can help to promote the shows, and to provide them with an incentive to
help maximize the success of the event, he explained.
"In July, at the end of the concert season, I share the proceeds with the
agencies who were co-sponsors during the year," he said. "The money is shared
equally regardless of whether they co-sponsored a large concert or one of the
smaller ones. It seems more fair that way."
Nussbaum said he is confident the program has made a real difference — not only
for the local organizations but also for patrons who attend the shows. "Between
the artists' voices and commitment to social change, and getting familiar with
our co-sponsoring non-profit agencies, I do know that some audience members
became more civically involved."
Upcoming shows include Irish humorist and storyteller Batt Burns, James
Keelaghan, and a Tribute to Harry Chapin concert, which will be performed by
LUNCH on April 8th.
For more information on the upcoming concerts, or to sign up for the MUSIC for a
CHANGE email list, visit
http://www.musicforachange.com
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