Music brings the College together to support Haiti.   By Virginia Van de Wall ’12

Students, faculty, and staff filled the seats of Ford Hall on February 8, bringing with them an energy that could be felt throughout the room. Attendees all seemed to recognize that music, as well as hope, can make a difference, not only in a room but also in another country.

“While we certainly hope to do something for Haitians in their hour of need, we also know that we are the biggest beneficiaries tonight,” said President Tom Rochon. “We sit here, we’re together, and we realize we can do something. I think there’s probably no better way to express this sense of community and make a tangible difference in Haiti than through the shared language of music.”

Peter Rothbart, professor of music theory, history, and composition, was the organizing force behind the benefit concert. After hearing about the tragedy and hardships that people in Haiti were experiencing, he wanted to help. With donation bins lining the outside of the auditorium, Rothbart raised over a thousand dollars, all of which has been sent to Médicins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), an international medical and humanitarian aid organization. According to Rothbart, the money is being used to help pay for medical supplies and medical care for those affected by the earthquake.

“[Doctors Without Borders] has a long track record of providing immediate and high-quality emergency care in a variety of situations,” Rothbart explains. “They’re reputable, and the issue was urgent, so they were the logical choice at the time.”

More than 35 performers and eight groups played or sang onstage throughout the evening. Performances ranged from School of Music jazz ensembles to faculty musicians, individual student performers, and the all-male a cappella group, Ithacappella.

Songs such as “We All Need Saving,” performed by Ithacappella, and musical compositions such as Mozart’s Sonata in F Major, played by associate professor of music performance Charis Dimaras, aroused a sense of devastation and loss while igniting feelings of hope and change. “[Students] realize the reason they make music is to raise the spirits of others, especially those who need it the most,” says Mike Titlebaum, director of the IC jazz ensemble and assistant professor of music performance.

Over 200 people attended the three-hour-long concert. Waiting in anticipation before the start of the event, freshman Keiran Raupers explained why she decided to be there. “I’m sure most students wanted to help out as soon as they saw what was happening in Haiti,” Raupers says. “But the question was how? This concert is the perfect way for students to feel like they are able to contribute and help another country in need.”

Other students, such as freshman Carly Fitzgerald, felt similarly. “Everyone was there for the right reasons,” says Fitzgerald. “The performers and the audience all felt they were making a difference. I was proud to have attended something for such a good cause.”

Recognizing the effect of these collective efforts, President Rochon says: “When tragedy occurs, our sense of community, our realization of how much we share with each other and with people in other parts of the world, increases and forms deep bonds.”

Rothbart’s benefit concert was just the beginning of the College’s Haiti relief efforts. Students, faculty, and staff continue to raise money for the country. They have organized a meal sign-away and T-shirt and wristband sales. Another benefit concert was held on April 8.

Music brings the College together to support Haiti.     By Virginia Van de Wall ’12

Students, faculty, and staff filled the seats of Ford Hall on February 8, bringing with them an energy that could be felt throughout the room. Attendees all seemed to recognize that music, as well as hope, can make a difference, not only in a room but also in another country.

“While we certainly hope to do something for Haitians in their hour of need, we also know that we are the biggest beneficiaries tonight,” said President Tom Rochon. “We sit here, we’re together, and we realize we can do something. I think there’s probably no better way to express this sense of community and make a tangible difference in Haiti than through the shared language of music.”

Peter Rothbart, professor of music theory, history, and composition, was the organizing force behind the benefit concert. After hearing about the tragedy and hardships that people in Haiti were experiencing, he wanted to help. With donation bins lining the outside of the auditorium, Rothbart raised over a thousand dollars, all of which has been sent to Médicins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), an international medical and humanitarian aid organization. According to Rothbart, the money is being used to help pay for medical supplies and medical care for those affected by the earthquake.

“[Doctors Without Borders] has a long track record of providing immediate and high-quality emergency care in a variety of situations,” Rothbart explains. “They’re reputable, and the issue was urgent, so they were the logical choice at the time.”

More than 35 performers and eight groups played or sang onstage throughout the evening. Performances ranged from School of Music jazz ensembles to faculty musicians, individual student performers, and the all-male a cappella group, Ithacappella.

Songs such as “We All Need Saving,” performed by Ithacappella, and musical compositions such as Mozart’s Sonata in F Major, played by associate professor of music performance Charis Dimaras, aroused a sense of devastation and loss while igniting feelings of hope and change. “[Students] realize the reason they make music is to raise the spirits of others, especially those who need it the most,” says Mike Titlebaum, director of the IC jazz ensemble and assistant professor of music performance.

Over 200 people attended the three-hour-long concert. Waiting in anticipation before the start of the event, freshman Keiran Raupers explained why she decided to be there. “I’m sure most students wanted to help out as soon as they saw what was happening in Haiti,” Raupers says. “But the question was how? This concert is the perfect way for students to feel like they are able to contribute and help another country in need.”

Other students, such as freshman Carly Fitzgerald, felt similarly. “Everyone was there for the right reasons,” says Fitzgerald. “The performers and the audience all felt they were making a difference. I was proud to have attended something for such a good cause.”

Recognizing the effect of these collective efforts, President Rochon says: “When tragedy occurs, our sense of community, our realization of how much we share with each other and with people in other parts of the world, increases and forms deep bonds.”

Rothbart’s benefit concert was just the beginning of the College’s Haiti relief efforts. Students, faculty, and staff continue to raise money for the country. They have organized a meal sign-away and T-shirt and wristband sales. Another benefit concert was held on April 8.