Music Unites Blog

Music Unites & Culture Project Present Sting & Trudie Styler "Twin Spirits"

Music Unites and Culture Project presented an evening at Lincoln Center with Sting, Trudi Styler, Joshua Bell and a host of other high-powered names to perform "Twin Spirits."

Sting and wife Trudie Styler read the letters between composer Robert Schumann and his decade-younger pianist wife Clara Wieck. David Straithairn acted as narrator as Joshua Bell played violin and Nathan Gunn and Camille Zamora sang.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Denise Rich, actor Richard Kind, screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher, movie producer Bonnie Timmerman, and classical pianist Steven Masi, and many more were in attendance of this event which helped raise funds for Music Unites.

Music unites & Rolling Stone Present Fiery Furnaces & Alexandra Richards

Music Unites kicked off its partnership with Rolling Stone to present the first concert of the In Tune concert series on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. The Fiery Furnaces brother and sister duo Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger started things off with an intimate performance at The Penthouse at Cooper Square Hotel. Alexandra Richards kept the night going with her amazing DJ skills as guests including Tinsley Mortimer, Dabney Mercer, Jared Evans, Kat DeLuna, Danielle Staub, Richie Rich, Samantha Swetra, Eric West, Jessica Hart, Paul Johnson-Calderon, and Nicolas Potts from Tamara mingled and enjoyed cocktails from Absolut and fragrance from Perry Ellis.

Proceeds from the event benefit Music Unites Youth Choir, made up of children from the city and its five boroughs in partnership with Young Audiences New York.

"We haven't done a lot of charitable work or fundraisers. When something really special comes along its nice to be able to say yes," said Eleanor Friedberger. "We couldn't say no to this since it's such a great cause."

Music unites Presents Mikhail Simonyan With Members Of The New York Philharmonic

Last night Music Unites presented Mikhail Simonyan with musicians from the New York Philharmonic for an intimate evening of music at City Winery. The event was hosted by WYNCY/QXR's Elliott Forrest. Proceeds benefited Music Unites and The Afghanistan National Institute of Music through Mikhail's Beethoven Not Bullets initiative.

City Winery Owner Buy Beethoven Not Bullets Sculpture

On Monday, June 14, Music Unites hosted an event at City Winery with violinist Mikhail Simonyan and members of the New York Philharmonic. In addition to hosting the event inside hsi venues doors, City Winery owner Michael Dorf supported Mikhail's cause Beethoven Not Bullets by purchasing a sculpture by Adrian London. The piece supports freedom and self-expression in Afghanistan and a portion of the proceeds go towards the initiative, which raises funds to sponsor students at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music. -

Music Unites Youth Choir Member Plays NYC's Angels & Kings

Music Unites Youth Choir member Anson wowed the crowd on Memorial Day when he played at Pete Wentz's rock bar Angels & Kings in NYC's Lower East Side. -

Music Unites Classical Music Showcase Series Presents Mikhail Simonyan with Musicians of the New York Philharmonic

Music Unites will host another event as part of our Classical Music Showcase Series at City Winery June 14, 2010. Internationally recognized Russian-Armenian violinist Mikhail Simonyan, hailed as having "a flawless, liquid line and ravishing tone," by the Washington Post, will join together with musicians from the New York Philharmonic. The performance will feature music written by legendary virtuoso and composer Nathan Milstein, the notoriously difficult Passacaglia for violin and viola on a theme by Handel by Johan Halvorsen, and Brahm's gorgeous Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25 for piano, violin, viola, and cello.

The evening will benefit the Afghanistan National Institue of Music (ANIM), in Kabul as part of Mikhail's Beethoven Not Bullets initiative. Beethoven Not Bullets raises funds to sponsor students at ANIM, which is the war-torn country’s only music school. ANIM’s mission is to educate a new generation of musicians, regardless of ethnicity or gender, revitalizing music in Afghanistan and restoring it as a strong cultural voice.

This is a wonderful chance to experience Mikhail and the New York Philharmonics music in an intimate setting. Tickets are just $30 for General Admission and $50 for VIP, which includes a signed CD. Purchase yours on our Events page at MusicUnites.org/events.html. In addition, Mikhail will be joining the full New York Philharmonic for his debut as soloist with the orchestra on June 29 and 30 at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.

MUSIC UNITES YOUTH CHOIR RECORDS A SONG AT TAINTED BLUE STUDIO

On Monday, the Music Unites Youth Choir visited Tainted Blue Studios in Times Square, home to such superstar recording artists as Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Paul McCartney, Coldplay and more. The children were able to see the inside of a real studio and learned how the process works by recording an original composition they wrote collaboratively over the course of the program called, "Different Voices, Same Song."

Special thanks to Tainted Blue Studio, NYC and engineer Louis Follo.

MUSIC UNITES YOUTH CHOIR INAUGURAL CONCERT

The Music Unites Youth Choir held their first solo concert on May 13 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. They performed a number of songs including Paul McCartney's classic "Let It Be," Jason Mraz's contemporary hit "I'm Yours," and a piece called "Different Voices, Same Song" which they composed collaboratively during the program.

Music Unites Celebrates Its One Year Anniversary

It was just one year ago that New York-based charity Music Unites was founded by Michelle Edgar to support music education in underfunded inner city school districts and bring music to underserved communities.

In celebration of our one year anniversary, Music Unites is hosting an exclusive benefit concert celebrating artists of all genres from pop, rock to rap, with a total of eight acts. This event has been made possible thanks to the support of the Annie O. Music Series, Cooper Square Penthouse and AriZona Beverages. Musicians who have been behind the cause from the start have donated their time and will come out to support the cause including Tamarama, As Tall As Lions, Matt White, Jaicko, Maino, Niia, Rachel Platten and DJ DL.

It's also Michelle's birthday, so be sure to wish her a happy one! Tickets are SOLD OUT. -

Charlie Siem Plays Spin NYC

Music Unites hosted an intimate performance featuring classical violinist Charlie Siem in the Fred Perry Room at Spin NYC as part of our classical music initiative. He played solo and was also joined by an acoustic guitarist. DJ Jamie Biden spun before and after. Guests enjoyed the music and drinks from St. Germaine and Barterhouse. A lucky attendee who entered our raffle won a tee shirt and tickets to our next events. All proceeds benefit that Music Unites Youth Choir and help bring education into underfunded inner city schools.

Rachel Platten Joins Music Unites Women's Empowerment Initiative

Music Unites welcomed Rachel Platten to be the newest member of their women's empowerment initiative with the presentation of an award at her Highline Ballroom opening for Carbon Leaf on April 15.

The Music Unites Woman's Empowerment movement was created to promote awareness about the importance of leadership and self-esteem in young woman around the world through emerging and established artists.

Jaicko Visits With Music Unites Youth Choir For The Second Time

Just weeks after appearing at St. Mark the Evangelist School in Harlem to speak with and perform for the 5th to 8th grade students, Capitol Records singer/songwriter Jaicko partnered again with Music Unites to bring music to underserved communities by leading the Music Unites Youth Choir during one of their rehearsals.

On April 12th, Jaicko observed and spoke to the choir’s work, shared stories and performed for the group comprised of public high school students from New York City's five boroughs -

MUSIC UNITES PRESENTS CHARLIE SIEM

Photo Credit: Bryan Adams

Londoner Charlie Siem has been playing violin since the age of three and is considered to be the next rising star in the classical world. Following his performance at Carnegie Hall, he’ll be joining Music Unites for an exclusive concert in the Fred Perry Room at Spin on April 29th.

Charlie has appeared at renowned festivals throughout the world and performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra , London Mozart Players, Israel Camerata, Bergen Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra Vilnius and Petros Sinfonica Brazil. He has also toured the UK with the Moscow Philharmonic. His debut CD won international praise and he is working on a new release for 2011. For more info, visit his web site at /www.charliesiem.com.

Tickets to the Music Unites event are $40.

Purchase Tickets:

MUSIC UNITES & JAICKO VISIT NYC SCHOOL

On Friday, March 26, 2010 Music Unites and Jaicko visited St. Marks school in Harlem. Jaicko put on a great performance, followed by a Q&A session where the students asked him many fantastic questions.

Melanie Fiona Custom Designs Bracelet With Gina Nigrelli For Music Unites

Melanie Fiona, the ambassador of Music Unites Empowering Women Through Music Initiative, has designed a bracelet with Gina Nigrelli to benefit the Music Unites Youth Choir.

The unique wrap bracelet come in gold and gunmetal and can be purchase for $135 at Jules Smith. To order, go to:

http://shop.julessmithdesigns.com/products/music-unites

MELANIE FIONA LAUNCHES WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT INNITIATIVE

Music Unites hosted an intimate performance featuring Melanie Fiona at the Cooper Square Hotel penthouse to kick off the Women's Empowerment innitiative, which will focus on reaching out to girls in inner city school systems. Guests enjoyed the music and had the opportunity to purchase a bracelet custom designed by Melanie from Jules Smith. This benefit concert sponsored by OK Magazine, Lancome, and the Annie O Music series also helped raise funding and awareness for the Music Unites Youth Choir.

MUSIC UNITES YOUTH CHOIR: THE MUSIC OF THE WHO AT CARNEGIE HALL

The Music Unites Youth Choir, wearing tee shirts designed by David Arquette, kicked off The Who Tribute concert with a medley from Tommy, accompanied by jazz trumpeter Steven Bernstein. They were followed by 20 A-list artists playing the classics, including Patti Smith, Bettye Lavette, Sondre Lerche, Bobby McFerrin, GasLight Anthem, and The Postelles.

David Arquette Designs Music Unites Choir Tees

We are so thankful to David Arquette and his new fashion line, PROPR, for designing the Music Unites Youth Choir's first t-shirts for their March 2nd debut performance at Carnegie Hall's Tribute to The Who benefit concert. Not only will this great shirt be worn by all choir members but there will also be limited edition tees signed by Arquette himself available for purchase with proceeds going towards the Music Unites Youth Choir.

Donate to the Music Unites Youth Choir buy purchasing The Who tribute teeshirts designed by David Arquette.

$30 by Donation:

Don't Miss Music Unites Youth Choirs Debut Performance at Carnegie Hall

Purchase your tickets now to see the Music Unites Youth Choir's debut performance at Carnegie Hall's Tribute to The Who benefit concert. The Choir will be performing with 20 other artists performing exciting pieces from The Who catalog. More info at carnegiewho.com.

Music Unites Takes Jaicko To NYC School

Capitol Record's artist, Jaicko, will be visiting students in grades 5-8 at St. Marks School on February 26. This outreach has been created together with Education Through Music to help motivate and engage young students through music.

Music Unites Receives First Grant!

Thank you to Dosomething.org for selecting Music Unites as a Do Something Growth Grant winner for $500. Click here to learn more about Do Something!

Music Unites Youth Choir's Sneak Peek Performance

This Monday Young Audiences New York introduced the Music Unites Youth Choir at their sneak performance at Ailey Citigroup Theatre. The performance featured songs and original writings in progress as the Choir builds toward their inaugural concert this Spring at Carnegie Hall.

Music Unites Youth Choir at Carnegie Hall

The Music Unites Youth Choir will have their debut performance at Carnegie Hall on March 2nd. The Choir will be singing songs from The Who catalog along with performers including Living Colour, Bobby McFerrin, Robyn Hitchcock, Matt Nathanson, Sondre Lerche, Postelles, Mose Allison, Bettye LaVette, The Smithereens, Bob Mould (of Hüsker Dü), Fab Faux, The Gaslight Anthem, Jason Isbell, Asaf Avidan, Vanessa Carlton, Willie Nile, Rich Pagano, Nicole Atkins, and Steven Bernstein.

Music Unites Hosts Intimate Performance with Joshua Bell

Grammy Award-winning artist Joshua Bell hosted an exclusive performance in his home to raise awareness for Music Unites and Education Through Music, Inc. Together they celebrated Joshua Bell's "At Home With Friends" album release. Guests including Regina Spektor enjoyed the violin performance while snacking on treats prepared by award-winning chef Brian Lewis.

Sting and Trudie Styler at New York Premiere of Twin Spirits

Music Unites hosted the screening of Twin Spirits, the poignant and tragic love story of Robert and Clara Schumann, followed by a live interview with Sting and Trudie Styler at WNYC's Greene Space on December 3. Supporters of Music Unites included Donna Karan, Courtney Love, Joshua Bell, Natasha Paremski, Ryan Leslie and The Postelles.