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EXACTLY WHAT DOES LUNCH DO
and how can I be involved ?
LUNCH, a 501c(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, is program that combines
arts, education, and community outreach. . LUNCH is an all-volunteer
organization, founded in 1989 by
Bill
Pere Our activities raise money and awareness for programs which address basic
human needs like food, clothing, shelter, and counseling.
We involve kids in our events to show them that they can make a difference in
the lives of others We do this in several ways:
1 -- Concerts and Stage Plays: We produce concerts or original stage
plays in partnership with schools, churches, youth groups, and civic
organizations, or we produce the events ourselves.
Our music events combine professional artists and kids from grades 4 through
adult. Our shows are family-oriented and present primarily the music of
Harry
Chapin, or original songs
from our own internationally distributed catalog. For special events, we write
our own plays and music as needed. As a tax-exempt 501c(3) non-profit
organization, our events are funded by individual, corporate, and business
donations. We are an all-volunteer organization, with no overhead for
personnel.
All of our events raise money for local and regional
social service agencies,
and provide education and awareness about issues of hunger , poverty, and other
human needs. To date we have raised almost $1,000,000, and have had more
than 3,000 kids in our programs.
Our Concert/Theater programs include:
The Harry Chapin Legacy Show series - our
flagship program
The Chapin Legacy Remembered
A Tribute to Harry Chapin
The Holiday Show -
An annual family favorite
Hunger Awareness/Youth Action Concert Events
Connecticut History Though Song
Notes in the Symphony - A Celebration of Differences
Women's Issues
Education Issues
Spiritual/Inspirational programs
Special Topics as they arise
The core performing Ensemble meets weekly from September through May to
practice. For special productions or special guest performers, practices are
scheduled as needed. The Ensemble is open to all. We always need
vocals, guitar, keyboard, bass, percussion, violin, flute, almost any other
instrument, and we also provide opportunities to learn some unusual instruments,
like Q-chord, Vocoder, Handsonic, wind controllers, and
more. Ability does not
matter -- just genuine desire and commitment. Anyone interested in participating should contact us at info @ lunchensemble . com .
2 -- Recordings : In partnership with the
Connecticut Songwriting
Academy, we produce
professional CD's which are distributed internationally and
are available through all major channels such as Apple i-Tunes, Yahoo, AOL, CDBaby, Best Buy, and more. All of our music is original, and in
addition to the Ensemble, we produce other artists as well if their material is
appropriate. We have had several #1 and Top 10 songs on various Internet Radio
and Fan sites. Proceeds from sales of our music benefit social service agencies
and provide community outreach opportunities for kids through music. Recording sessions are scheduled at various intervals and participation is by
invitation and/or audition.
3. LUNCH
Summer Music Camp: In partnership with
Camp Wightman, we work
with young campers from grades 3-6 for 1 week in July to teach them songs and
present a concert for family and friends.
Participation as a camper (entering grades 4-7) is arranged through Camp
Wightman. Participation as part of the LUNCH Ensemble (grades 7 and up) is
arranged through LUNCH.
4. Mystic River Folk Concert Series: We sponsor and produce a concert
series which features talented artists of national, regional, and local
prominence. Volunteers to help out behind the scenes are always needed. Artists
interested in performing should submit a press kit to LUNCH, PO Box 511, Mystic
CT 06355.
5. Keys For a Cause: A special LUNCH national outreach, coordinated by
Kay Pere, which features keyboard-based artists doing benefit concerts for
social service agencies. To be involved in Keys for a Cause as a performer,
event sponsor, or beneficiary contact Kay at kay @ kaypere . com
6. Workshops: In partnership with the
Connecticut Songwriting
Academy,
Bill and Kay travel nationwide to present workshops and classes at all levels on
songwriting, the music business, vocal techniques, music production, and how to
produce successful benefit events. For more information on setting up a group or
private workshop,
contact info @ ctsongwriting . com
7. Scholarships : LUNCH provides a variety of scholarships and awards for
students.
-- All participation in LUNCH counts as community service hours for schools who
have such a
requirement. We provide the needed documentation.
-- We provide letters of recommendation for National Honor Society,
College
applications, job
applications, and any other process requiring support of
character and
leadership ability. (applicants must have been with LUNCH
for at least
1 year)
-- Community Service Award: For participants who have been
with the Ensemble
consistently for 5
years, we publicly present and community service award with a
$100
scholarship.
-- Through the
Voices For Hope program we present a $500 Music
and Service
Learning
Scholarship
-- Participants who have been with the program consistently for 7 years or
more are
eligible for
Service Learning scholarships of between $500 and $1000
-- Special recognition awards are given as appropriate for exceptional
service.
7. Special Events : LUNCH often participates in or sponsors special
events like
-- the
Voices For Hope contest for young vocalists
-- the
Unisong International Songwriting Contest
-- special talent search programs
-- civic celebrations and parades
-- food drives
-- youth and education conferences
-- national music conferences
8. Mentoring and Talent Development for Young Artists :
Bill and Kay, both noted music educators and award winning songwriters, have
more than 40 years of combined experience in the music business. Having learned
directly from the
top names in the industry
they share their experience with young people to help them develop their
talents and set realistic, achievable goals. Bill and Kay have
helped many kids write their own songs and produce their own recordings.
Students interested in learning music production, live sound
reinforcement, music technology, etc, may apply for internships through
the
Connecticut Songwriting
Academy
9. School and Youth Group Presentations : Bill and Kay, both
qualified public school educators, work with schools and youth
organizations to present programs on careers in the arts,
people-skills and collaboration, character learning, music
technology, songwriting as a link to other disciplines, social
awareness, and many other topics.
HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED ?
There are many ways to be involved in LUNCH.
We are open to anyone who has a song in their heart and who wants to use
music to help those in need. Musical ability is not a factor so much as
character and an ability to work with others to benefit others.
To get involved contact : Bill Pere at info @ lunchensemble . com
WAYS TO VOLUNTEER:
-- As a regular performer in our concerts or stage plays. This requires a
commitment to
learn our repertoire and to participate in our concerts.
-- As a special guest performer, appearing occasionally when appropriate.
-- As a sponsor or fundraiser, working with local businesses
-- As a behind-the-scenes volunteer taking care of tasks like:
-- Ticket-taking
-- Refreshments/Hospitality
-- Photography/Video/Web Presentations
-- Sound Technician
-- Publicity/Press/Media liaison
-- Event planning
-- Transportation
-- many more roles…..
If you are associated with a school, church, organization, civic group,
business, etc that would like to host a LUNCH event for any worthwhile cause,
please contact us. We need people like you to make things happen.
If you have any questions or ideas for ways to work with us, we'd be glad to
hear from you.
For
general questions, click here
You Are Here >
For What we Do and How to be Involved, click here
To see what others say about LUNCH, click here
For a list of agencies we have helped, click
here
To learn more about the Founder of LUNCH,
click here
Programs for
developing young talent
Articles About
LUNCH
For a list of LUNCH program sponsors,
click here
For a timeline of LUNCH events, click
here
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“Power moves
in the direction of hope.” -- Reverend Horace Bushnell
(1802 – 1876)
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