Mental Health Chamber Music Ensemble launches “Acts of Kindness” concerts

By

Through a series of public concerts the Ellipses Ensemble aims to increase awareness surrounding mental health.

Ellipses Ensemble, a Philadelphia-based chamber music ensemble devoted to mental health and suicide prevention awareness, announces its third concert, Acts of Kindness.

Ellipses Ensemble was co-founded by Susanna Loewy, a Philadelphia Orchestra teaching artist and the founding artistic director and curator of the Pikes Falls Chamber Music Ensemble. Loewy is an accomplished musician, educator, and innovator who is collaborating on this initiative with mental health advocate, writer, and editor Gabriel Nathan. Nathan, a former employee at Montgomery County Emergency Service (MCES), an inpatient, crisis psychiatric hospital, is the Editor in Chief of OC87 Recovery Diaries, an online publication devoted to stories of mental health, empowerment, and change.

[uam_ad id=”54865″]

 


This concert will feature short, original OC87 Recovery Diaries mental health documentary films, produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Glenn Holsten, that highlight the powerful, emotional impact of kindness and the human spirit.

At this and all Ellipses Ensemble events, music and storytelling (live and on film) combine to create a dynamic and immersive environment. Mental health and suicide prevention resources specific to the event location will be made available to all who attend.

In honor of February’s “National Acts of Kindness Day,” Joseph Conyers, Assistant Principal Bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Conductor of the All City Orchestra, and Executive Director of Project 440, will speak about the importance of connecting with people at eye level. His storytelling will include his background of growing up in Savannah, how he ended up in the Philadelphia Orchestra, and how for him, the orchestra position isn’t a final destination; it is instead a launch-pad to give back to the world through music and philanthropy.

 

Ellipses Ensemble is comprised of nine Philadelphia-area musicians, all professionals in their field, two of whom just won 2019 GRAMMYs. The first Acts of Kindness concert event will take place at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in West Chester at 1:00pm on February 23, and at the Philadelphia Ethical Society at 7:30pm on February 24. Works by Golijov, Schulhoff, Jolivet, and Philadelphia-based composer Tony Solitro will be performed.

 

There is no formal charge to attend the concerts, and donations will be collected for the Ellipses Ensemble and Prevent Suicide PA, a non-profit organization devoted to preventing suicide in Pennsylvania through education, outreach, advocacy, and training.

[uam_ad id=”54875″]

Stay Connected, Stay Informed

Subscribe for great stories in your community!

"*" indicates required fields

Hidden
MT Yes
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Advertisement