Musicians in Waterloo Region have joined together to raise funds for earthquake victims in Nepal.
The Grand Philharmonic Choir, together with many community partners, is organizing a free concert on May 24 at 4pm at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 49 Queen St. N., Kitchener.
At the concert, audience members will be invited to donate to Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) Nepal earthquake relief fund. The federal government will match any donations made at the concert.
MCC will make a presentation about its work in Nepal, which has focused on bringing food, water treatment and other essential supplies to thousands of people in remote areas. All musicians involved, including an orchestra of members from the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, and soloists Daniel Lichti, Bethany Horst and Jennifer Enns Modolo, are donating their services.
“I am thrilled that the arts community is reaching out so generously,” said MCC Ontario executive director Rick Cober Bauman. “They really typify the spirit that MCC has often seen in this community. A deep human need appears, and within a few days we receive calls from musicians who want to take the lead on creating an event that will benefit sisters and brothers across the globe who have lost everything.”
Mark Vuorinen, artistic director for the choir who took the lead on organizing the musical side, said more than 80 singers from several local choirs will participate in the concert.
The idea for the concert came from singers in the Grand Philharmonic Choir, who wanted to do something to help the people of Nepal, he said.
