"If Music Be the Food" Concert Series Returns for Second Concert of the Season

Thursday, January 28, 2016

On Sunday, February 7th, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Tampa Bay Harvest, and students and faculty of the University of South Florida unite once again for second concert of the season in the "If Music Be the Food..." benefit concert series. The concert series is unique in that members of the community can experience an enriching night of chamber music while at the same time helping to feed the hungry in the Tampa Bay area. Audience members are asked to bring non-perishable food items or cash donations to the benefit Tampa Bay Harvest as the price of admission.

Since 1989, Tampa Bay Harvest has been collecting leftover quality food from restaurants, hospitals, hotels, caterers, and other establishments in order to support local charities that work directly with those in need. This system of food conservation is what enables local charities to expand and maintain operations despite stretched budgets. Inspired by Carol Rodland's "If Music Be the Food" series in Rochester, New York, USF music professor Scott Kluksdahl established Tampa's own version in 2012. Concerts feature performances by members of The Florida Orchestra, University of Tampa, other Tampa Bay artistic institutions, and distinguished national guest artists.

The program presents Henry Cowell's Homage to Iran and Mozart's Sonata for Violin and Piano, K. 305 by the internationally-renowned Stuart-Ivanov Duo, featuring USF's own Carolyn Stuart and Svetozar Ivanov on violin and piano, respectively. From the studio of Scott Kluksdahl, accomplished cellist Edevaldo Mulla offers his version of Benjamin Britten's Cello Suite No. 3, opus 87. Also spotlighted is the spiritual Oh, Freedom! performed by baritonist Charles Evans and Rheinberger's Suite for Organ, Violin and Cello, Opus 149 featuring organist Michael Hunter, violinist Nina Kim, and cellist Helga Winold. The concert will be held on February 7th at 2 pm in Downtown Tampa's St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. You won't want to miss this spectacular afternoon of music performance.