Westchester Church to Host Concert to Benefit At-Risk Youth

The Church of St. James the Less and The Canadian Chamber Orchestra of New York City’s 7th annual concert bringing together different religious and musical groups to benefit at-risk children from the Edward Williams School in Mount Vernon and provide essential funding for the continuation of music programming in at-risk schools will be held on Saturday, January 25th at 7:30 pm 2014 at SUNY Purchase Recital Hall in Purchase in collaboration with Westchester Reform Temple (WRT). Participating organizations are Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) and Children’s Aid Society.

The various organizations involved are pleased to announce that Scarsdale Strings Cares is joining the Benefit as a contributing partner. Founder Anna Stampfli’s dynamic leadership and visionary zeal is a welcome addition as the Benefit grows with its move to SUNY.

This unique concert is a joint effort of the Episcopal, Jewish and other communities in Scarsdale. The six previous concerts have raised over $250,000 and have sent over 350 disadvantaged children to the Wagon Road Camp in Chappaqua for 7 weeks each summer.

Justin Bischof, Artistic Director/Conductor of CCO/NYC and Founder of the Benefit Concert, will lead the concert. The concert will include Rossini’s Overture from William Tell, Brahms’ rarely performed Nanie for Choir and Orchestra as well as Tchaikovsky’s legendary Symphony No. 4. The Children’s Choir of the Edward Williams School, along with children from Scarsdale, will join forces (50 children) to sing 2 patriotic songs with orchestra. Making their debut will be 30 violin students from Scarsdale Strings Cares also performing 2 patriotic works.

Internationally acclaimed Canadian composer/pianist Andrew Ager will be the pianist for the World Premiere of his Piano Concerto.

Cantor Jill Abramson, Senior Cantor of WRT, will sing several selections including 2 settings of Psalm 150 by Benjie Schiller and Debbie Friedman, of blessed memory. These beloved synagogue favorites will be orchestrated for the occasion and will include audience participation.

“Our first six years have been both exciting and inspiring,” said Dorothy Yewer, Co-Founder and Benefit Chair. “The community has been incredibly supportive of our work for which we are very grateful. We are looking forward to growing our audience and helping even more children with our move to the concert hall.” "I am pleased and excited to be joining this fantastic effort", said Anna Stampfli, Founder of Scarsdale Strings Music School and Scarsdale Strings Cares. "It is a powerful testament to the generosity of the community in support of children and improving the quality of their education."

The primary beneficiary is the WJCS' Amazing Afternoon Program in Mount Vernon. The program gives 125 at-risk elementary school children a safe place to learn and grow after school during the critical 3-6pm time frame. During the summer there is a void in these children’s lives and many desperately need a safe, productive environment that their families cannot provide for them. This Benefit enables them to attend The Children’s Aid Society Wagon Road Camp located on 53 acres in Chappaqua. Scarsdale Strings Cares raises funds to create seed programs in fiscally challenged schools in the Westchester / NYC area. Donations will, in partnership with local area schools, create new fundamental programming.

To purchase tickets visit www.artscenter.org/tickets or call 914-251-6200.
$1,000, $500, $250, $150 & $75. Tickets are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.