Upper School Musicians Give Back to the Community
Two upperclassmen in the BB&N Upper School music program are giving back to the community in the best way they know how–through music. Two pianists, Vartan Arakelian ’26 and Matthew Ding ’27, organized small concerts to not only highlight the talent on campus but to support oft-forgotten parts of the Greater Boston area.
Orchestra and chamber music director Elliot Cless ’02 described the two students’ missions:
“Vartan Arakelian (varakelian@bbns.org; alone in img_9562) is a senior who plays piano in Chamber Music, as well as piano and percussion in Orchestra. During his sophomore year, Vartan initiated a food drive to benefit a local food pantry that takes place during the Winter Chamber Music concert, in conjunction with the nonprofit “Music for Food.” The BB&N student concert has been featured alongside professional concerts on the “Music for Food” concert calendar, with the goal of tying the abstract joys of live music to the tangible challenges of food insecurity in our local communities. This February marked the 3rd Annual BB&N “Music for Food” Winter Chamber Concert, organized by Vartan. Donations generated over 100 meals for local families in need. And, Vartan asked a younger student to assist this year in order to continue the tradition after he graduates.”
“Matthew Ding is a junior who plays piano in Chamber Music. With the goal of sharing live chamber music across generations, Matthew organized a BB&N Chamber Music concert at a senior home in Brighton that took place on February 17th. He coordinated everything from equipment needs to flyers and programs to a post-concert reception meet-and-greet opportunity for residents to speak with the student musicians. Two ensembles performed chamber works by Gershwin, Brahms, and Dvořák, along with a few of the pianists offering solo pieces. Matthew seeks to program another concert or two next year.”
Thanks to the dedication of BB&N artists and the support of the music department, these pianists have inspired others to perform at these benefit concerts and set a new tradition of using music to give back.
