Bar/Bat Mitzvah students from West Hartford formed a band and performed throughout the area to raise funds for Gifts of Music.

Submitted

Eleven Bar/Bat Mitzvah students from West Hartford have combined their talents to raise money for the Gifts of Music program in town as part of their mitzvah projects to give back to the community.

The 11, who refer to themselves as the “Second Rejuvenators B’nai Mitzvah Band,” came together in the summer of 2016 and practiced through the fall under the direction of Seth Bailey of the Hartt School of Music. They performed during the past winter at local nursing homes and synagogues.

The students include: Josh Azia, Sam Foxman, Sophia Friedman, Aaron Goldstein, Mira Goldstein, Ethan Harris, Joel Harris, Jake Ludgin, Lena Madonick, Jared Maidman, and Simon Rosenberg. Their efforts resulted in a $250.00 donation to the Gifts of Music.

Haig Shaverdian, who helped to found Gifts of Music and serves on its Board of Advisors, said, “How wonderful that the students picked Gifts of Music for their project.”

Gifts of Music offers a helping hand to promising young musicians without financial resources: students at risk of losing their desire before realizing their talent. Students who meet the established criteria receive individual and/or group music instruction from professional teachers from within The Community Division of The Hartt School of Music. The mentoring allows the young students to improve skills, to learn the value of commitment and practice, and to grow in confidence.

Gifts of Music unites the resources of the West Hartford Public Schools, the Community Division of the Hartt School of Music, private donors, and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. The Gifts of Music Fund is managed by the Foundation and advised by a dedicated group of volunteers. The Fund was established at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving in 2002 as a perpetual endowment to support the Gifts of Music program.

Further information on Gifts of Music, including how to make a donation, can be found at http://giftsofmusic.us/index.html.

Second Rejuvenators B’nai Mitzvah Band performed at local nursing homes and synagogues to raise funds for Gifts of Music. Submitted photo

Second Rejuvenators B’nai Mitzvah Band performed at local nursing homes and synagogues to raise funds for Gifts of Music. Submitted photo