Given the ongoing affordability and homelessness crisis in NYC, I felt compelled to create a framework that would help musicians contribute more directly to those in need around them. Therefore, it was most natural to collaborate with Music for Food, to reach beyond the series’ regular audience, going directly to those served by its food pantry and dedicating additional performances to their enjoyment and spiritual well-being.
Shai Wosner
Shai Wosner (BBT Award 2005) has created a BBT Artist Encore project to complement the activities of the New York City chapter of Music for Food, a nationwide initiative founded in 2010 to help fight food insecurity throughout the US. Music for Food organises concerts for audiences who donate whatever they can afford, with 100% of the proceeds going to a designated local food pantry. Shai will bring together musicians from these concerts with students from the Juilliard School to bring live music to the local pantry, creating a series of sociable occasions for communities in need, whilst inspiring awareness in young musicians of how their artform can still make a difference for those who may seem far from the typical classical music audience.
Photos Jamie Jung and Marco Borggreve