Fourteen Ithaca College students, faculty, and alumni perform among professionals from New York City arts organizations to raise awareness and support of New York City homeless organizations.
A very special event that took place in New York City on November 23rd involving several Ithaca College alumni and current students alongside over 40 other professional singers and instrumentalists from the Metropolitain Opera, New York City Opera, National Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and other local arts organizations donating their performances for the cause.
IC current students and alumni joined the Alpha Omega Ensemble (www.alphaomegaensemble.com) and Sing for Hope (www.singforhope.org) to perform two complete Bach cantatas, works of American composers John Corigliano and Aaron Copland, and a world premiere by Grammy Award winning composer Christopher Theofanidis to raise money for the New York City Interfaith Assembly for Homelessness and Housing (www.iahh.org) and the Jan Hus Homelessness Outreach and Advocacy Program (HOAP) at the historic Gustavus Adolphus Church in Gramercy Park.
Professionally active Ithaca College alumni who donated their services include Edwin Vega ('02), Lauren Quigley ('02), Elizabeth Holmgren ('06), Donata Cucinotta ('04), Amanda (Gillespie) Krauss ('03), Brian Krauss ('03), Amanda (Capone) DeMaris ('02), and Brian DeMaris ('02). Brian and Amanda DeMaris are currently on faculty of the School of Music.
Current Ithaca College students participating in this event were Beth Faulstick, Sarah Koop, Rachel Seiden, Jeff Theiss, Andrew Mattfeld, and Terressa Birchen.
Together they helped raise awareness and over $3,000 for IAHH's programs that rehabilitate homeless individuals and initiate policy change on the city, state, and federal levels. Additionally, home-cooked Thanksgiving dinners were served to over 300 New Yorkers in need. Special guest speakers included Marc Greenburg, Executive Director of NYC Interfaith Assembly for Homelessness and Housing, NY State Senator Liz Krueger, and one particularly moving testimony from a rehabilitated homeless person.
Associate Professor of Music Performance and Artistic Director of the Alpha Omega Ensemble Brian DeMaris writes, "Events like these are the type that will help see the arts through difficult times, such as the current economic climate, when many arts organizations have already begun closing their doors. It is so touching to see these young artists who are able to recognize the gifts they have and the opportunity they have to share such gifts with others. The environment that Ithaca College provides of support and care for those in need and those marginalized in society is supremely crucial and I commend you, your students, and the institution for making it a vital and meaningful part of your mission."
