Artist Carissa Gutherie, senior art major, Lycoming College
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Local vocalists will sing the haunting "Little Match Girl Passion" to raise awareness of homelessness in the Williamsport area during two concerts in January. The concerts feature David Lang’s Pulitzer-Prize winning musical work based on the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen.
The first concert will be performed by the professional vocal ensemble, Bricolage, in collaboration with the Williamsport High School choir on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Williamsport Area High School. Admission is free.
The second concert will be performed by Bricolage on Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. in Pennington Lounge on the first floor of Wendle Hall on the Lycoming College campus. Suggested admission donation $10.
“Homelessness in our area is a bigger issue than many realize,” said Fiona Jackson, a vocalist for Bricolage and adjunct faculty member at Lycoming College who helped organize the events. “Having no permanent address prevents the delivery of needed benefits and makes finding a job very difficult. Homeless children suffer from insecurity and hunger that prevent them from learning when in class, let alone after they leave school for the day when studying and doing homework are nearly impossible.”
The event at Lycoming College features local story teller and radio host, Fiona Powell, who will narrate a reading of the original story before the concert. The event also features artwork by students from the Lycoming College Art Department and Williamsport Area High School, as well as community artists, that was inspired by the music and text. Artwork will be for sale at listed price.
All proceeds will be donated to the YWCA Northcentral PA, which provides an educational housing program called Liberty House to homeless women and women with children in Lycoming County.
“We appreciate the wonderful creativity of our community partners to help us raise awareness about homelessness and to help raise the funds needed for support services that help people regain stability,” said Anna Thompson, communications and development director at the YWCA.
The project is a recipient of an Educational Improvement Tax Credit Grant from Williamsport Area High School.
More information about upcoming concerts at Lycoming College can be found at: www.lycoming.edu/music/musicAtLycoming.