Fans of the TV show “Downton Abbey” and movie “Titanic” will be in for a treat next week as there will be a musical performance showcasing music from both in Haddonfield, all to help a good cause.
Residents Rose and Carlton Chin’s Play It For Good, a non-profit organization, is hosting a benefit concert on June 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield, 20 Kings Highway East. The concert will feature famous soprano Julianne Baird and violinist Jessica Stewart in a musical journey, “From the Parlors of Downton Abbey to the Decks of the Titanic.” All proceeds from the concert will benefit the Haddonfield Japan Exchange and the Haddonfield School Orchestra Program.
“With the music from ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Titanic,’ I think it will be a really great and exciting show,” Carlton Chin said.
“It is a nice effort to bring awareness to these programs and generate money for them. These events showcase amazing musical talent, all for a good cause. The performers don’t charge anything, but instead do it freely,” former Mayor Tish Colombi said.
PIFG has organized benefit concerts since 2008 and aims to bring the community together with an evening of music the whole family can enjoy — and hopes to inspire more young performers to “do good” and get involved.
“We want to promote children to do community service and volunteerism without being told. When children get involved with these concerts, they do so eagerly. We hope they’ll feel a part of this benefit and want to do more good things. I think it is good to do good without a reason,” Chin said.
PIFG tries to provide three things for the public: performance opportunities for musicians, as they can often be limited; a good and entertaining musical show for the public to enjoy; and help for good causes by donating all proceeds to those who need it.
Two years ago, PIFG held a concert in Haddonfield for a family of a child with leukemia and a heart defect. Through the concert, it was able to help provide the family with some financial support so they could focus on their daughter instead of the expenses.
Once again, the PIFG is hosting a concert in Haddonfield, this time to benefit two organizations, the Haddonfield Japanese Exchange and the Haddonfield School Orchestra Program. The Haddonfield Japanese Exchange is a non-profit program that gives local high school residents and Japanese students the chance to experience each other’s cultures. Every year, they alternate, with the Japanese students visiting Haddonfield this year.
The other half of the proceeds will go toward the Haddonfield School Orchestra Program, which gives young Haddonfield students the opportunity to learn, play and perform instruments to broaden their artistic horizons.
“I think the music program at the schools always needs help. If anyone has attended their programs, you’d see how amazing they are and what they can do. They are extraordinary; our music program is absolutely extraordinary,” Colombi said. “With the Japanese Exchange, this program is beneficial for both our students and for those students abroad. I think the funding for this is important as it provides for the activities all of the students attend.”
Stewart, the performing violinist, is the director of the Haddonfield School Orchestra program. A product of Haddonfield Public Schools, Stewart earned her degree in music education and violin performance from the Mason Gross School of the Arts. She is excited to be working in music education and is a proponent of student performance opportunities. Stewart has performed with artists such as Jay Z and Patrice Jegou.
Baird has been hailed a “national artistic treasure” by the New York Times and has appeared as a soloist with many major symphony orchestras. With more than 130 solo recordings to her credit, Baird is considered one of America’s most recorded women. Her 2015 season includes a tour with famed Dutch Baroque flutist and conductor Bart Kuijken. She is also the mother of Stewart.
“They’re a very musical family. I’m really excited Julianne Baird is working with us, and Jessica Stewart is an amazing violinist,” Chin said.
Also performing at the event are pianist John Bailey and students from the Haddonfield music program, including pianist Helen Chung, violinist Julia Chin and students from the Orchestra Program.
Chin hopes those who come to the concert feel it was a good show and feel like they’ve been involved in something greater by helping the Japanese Exchange and School Orchestra Program. He also hopes it inspires others to “do good” in the world, just like PIFG’s mission.
“I hope it is a good show and that people know that this kind of event can bring the community together to help a good cause,” Chin said. “I think it is a perpetual cycle; people come out, children get involved and see this, and want to do good in this world. If they come out to support this, a lot of kids of all ages will potentially feel energized to do more good.”
The benefit concert will be held June 6 at the First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for adults and $30 for a family.
To learn more about PIFG, go to its website www.PlayItForGood.com. For more about the Haddonfield Japanese Exchange, go to www.HJEx.org.
“I think they will have an enjoyable evening listening to all of this great music. It will put attendees in a positive mood, and they’ll feel great that their attendance is helping out these programs,” Colombi said.
