“If Music Be the Food…” founder, violist Carol Rodland (second from right), returned for the opening IMBTF concert in October 2018, performing with the Ying Quartet.
By Sarah Forestieri
What better way is there to bring a community together than through the power of music? Eastman Assistant Professor of String Chamber Music, Mimi Hwang, has demonstrated just how powerful music can be in lending a hand to someone in need. Professor Hwang is also the Artistic Director of “If Music Be the Food…” which is a local chamber music series benefiting Rochester’s Foodlink. IMBTF will conclude their tenth season on Sunday, April 28, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which is at the corner of East Avenue and Westminster Road in Rochester. Concertgoers are asked to bring to bring a non-non-perishable food item, or a cash donation for admission. All proceeds will benefit the Rochester Foodlink.
“I’m so excited about the final concert of Season Ten of IMBTF,” says Artistic director Mimi Hwang. “This season we have already raised $4,715 and collected 542 lbs. of food. And with the match by an anonymous donor of cash up to $5,000, we are very close to raising over $10,000 to help feed people in our community.”
The final installment in this year’s series will include a number of Eastman faculty members, including Professor of Horn Peter Kurau, Professor of Voice Anthony Dean Griffey, and Professor of Chamber Music Elinor Freer, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra violinist Shannon Nance, and Mimi Hwang performing the Arensky Piano Trio.
IMBTF is an organization dedicated to increasing awareness and support for the hungry in the local community. Eastman faculty, students, members of the Rochester Philharmonic, and other local professional musicians who participate in these concerts donate their time and talents, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Foodlink.
IMBTF was originally founded by Eastman faculty member Carol Rodland in 2009. Along with Mimi Hwang, Peter DuBois, Director of Music at Third Presbyterian Church, and Robert Poovey, Director of Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, are also musical and administrative partners in this series.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved with IMBTF, from the ushers, production team, poster artists, performers, our partners at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Third Presbyterian Church and everyone who helps spread the word about these concerts,” adds Mimi. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to give back to the Rochester Community, and hear a wonderful concert by some of the best musical talent Rochester has to offer.
For more information on the upcoming concert and IMBTF, visit http://www.ifmusicbethefood.com/.