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Date: 6/9/2022
NORTHAMPTON – Amidst the crescendo of exploding rockets and crumbling buildings in Ukraine are the sounds of music to help the children of this war-torn country.
Andrew Mark and Brenda Miller are performing in a concert on June 12 at Helen Hills Chapel in Northampton. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Voices for Children Foundation, an organization that gives psychological help to the children of war.
“Our children need to be taken care of. We are hoping we can make a difference in the lives of children who are suffering from the perils of this war,” said Mark, who plays the cello.
Miller plays the piano and has performed around the world with Mark as US Artistic Ambassadors, an honor they earned in 1988 during a State Department competition.
“No matter how you feel about the war, children are always victims and never to blame for what’s happening,” said Miller.
The Voices for Children Foundation is working right now to help children and their families on the front lines of Russia’s war in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. Miller has an adopted child from Russia and relatives who lived in Ukraine. This performance has special meaning for her.
“We have that familial connection and this war has affected us more because of that connection. It gives us more of a personal feeling when something happens in that part of the world,” she said.
Mark and Miller will honor the people of Ukraine by playing Ukrainian music during the concert. Music from this embattled nation will add authenticity to a concert designed to help those most vulnerable to the ravages of war.
“It’s another way to connect to the situation and people because the music itself is indicative of the culture. It’s appropriate to represent their music and their culture in this concert,” said Miller.
Mark has two adopted children from Cambodia. When they came to his family as babies, they were seriously malnourished with significant health issues. He’s seen first-hand the pain children feel when their life is upended by trauma.
“Knowing the things these young children are going through, they’ll be psychologically scarred for many years. I’m hoping we can help this organization give them tools they need to address the challenges that lie ahead,” he said.
Music carries a certain credibility and power that influences people, yet Miller said modestly she’s not sure her art makes a difference.
“It’s hard to feel as a musician like you’re making a difference in the world in any way. We wanted to raise money for an organization we felt is doing some good work for children in the world,” she said.
The melodic sounds of a concert in Northampton will be far from the cacophony of war in Europe. Even so, Mark is hoping to make a difference for Ukraine’s youngest victims.
“We need to do something and this is just our small way of trying to take that first step. If our music can effect change or touch people, that’s what we’re trying to do,” he said. “It’s a small thing we’re doing to help.”
For more information about attending the concert visit Eventbrite.com and search for Mark-Miller duo. Tickets for the concert are $30 and should be purchased in advance.
Donations are also accepted at www.voices.org.ua/en. In the comments section specify the donation is in honor of the Mark-Miller Duo Benefit Concert for Ukraine.