The issue of bullying in schools never seems to go away, and the consequences of unchecked bullying never seem to lessen. The much-publicized suicides earlier this year of several gay teens harassed by classmates drove this point home in a particularly powerful way.
In response to the persistent problem, Baltimore area musicians have put together a benefit concert on Sunday "to raise awareness about bullying in schools and abate the hate," says conductor Gordon Green, who co-organized the event with violist Robin Fay Massie.
Proceeds will benefit two national organizations dedicated to the cause: the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and Youth Frontiers.
The program features Musicians of Mercy, an ensemble Massie co-founded last January to help raise money for victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Dozens of volunteers have stepped up to help with the event onstage and off.
In a cool touch, Green has chosen popular works by great composers who happened to be gay, including
Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man," Barber's "Adagio for Strings," and excerpts from Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake." Music by Handel (probably gay) and Brahms (didn't play for that team) will also be performed. There will be some jazz, too, from vocalist Integriti Reeves.
The concert, titled "Stand for Love," is scheduled fore 5 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 5) at Baltimore's First Unitarian Church. Although there is no admission fee, a suggested donation of $15 is requested.
If you can't attend, you can mail a contribution to: Abate the Hate Benefit, c/o First Unitarian Church, 1 W. Hamilton St., Baltimore, MD 21201 (make check payable to First Unitarian Church of Baltimore; write "benefit concert" on the memo line).