Student Musicians Play To Benefit the Homeless

Twenty-five student musicians will hold a benefit concert next month to raise money to help the homeless, organizers said yesterday.

Grace J. Fan '93, founder of Harvard Musicians Against Homelessness, said a growing concern about the severity of homelessness prompted her to organize a concert series to benefit local shelters.

"There are so many people in the streets, and it's just getting worse," Fan said. "There are so many children out there. It's just not fair."

Fan, who studied piano at the Juilliard School Pre-College Division for 10 years, said the group had two purposes: "both to raise money for the homeless and to give student musicians a chance to perform."

The concert will feature classical music by composers such as Liszt, Schubert and Brahms, Fan said, and is tentatively scheduled for December 17. Two Cambridge churches that sponsor homeless shelters may host the concert.

"Artists can often be self-absorbed individuals who can only see their work in relation to others, as a constant competition," musician Thomas M. Lauderdale '92 said.

"It's so wonderful to see arts and public service going together," he said, "to see dedicated musicians who can also be dedicated to something else."

Estie L. Dallett '87 at the office of the dean of first-year students said the group would likely receive funding from her office or the Undergraduate Council.

"It's a chance for everyone to give their services to a good cause--and it's fun," said Ilann S. Maazel '93.

Fan said she modeled it after a program started by her brother at the University of Pennsylvania.