Music to Cleveland's Ears, Food to Its Table

CIM’s Student Government Association (SGA) is responsible for organizing social, academic and service oriented events that enhance student life. Its annual benefit concert supporting Music for Food takes place later this month. Undergraduate student and SGA member Noah Stein (Sullivan) shares his perspective about why student- and faculty-led efforts like these matter.  

One of CIM students’ greatest resources is the city we call home during our studies – Cleveland. Undeniable perks include learning from members of The Cleveland Orchestra, hearing them perform regularly for free and performing ourselves in Severance Music Center multiple times a year. The fact that these opportunities are accessible within walking distance, located in the academic nucleus of University Circle, is yet another privilege. It’s easy to isolate ourselves from the full story of Cleveland, to reap only its advantages and ignore the more sobering realities that exist within this community. This is why CIM’s Student Government Association (SGA) is partnering with the national non-profit Music for Food to raise funds for the Cleveland Kosher Food Pantry. 

Once one of the biggest, most prosperous cities in the United States, Cleveland’s population has steadily declined over the past seven decades, with a population today just slightly greater than a third of what it was in 1950. Its average household brings in just over $30,000 a year – less than half of the median salary nationwide. One in six of our neighbors doesn’t know where their next meal will come from, an obstacle that puts our frustrations of practice rooms, orchestra rehearsals and chamber music coachings into perspective. Many CIM students would agree that artist citizenship is key to a fulfilling musical career.

SGA meets every other Friday during the academic year to consider, how, despite demanding schedules, CIM students can help our neighbors in need. One approach stems from SGA’s ongoing relationship with Music for Food, a musician-led initiative that operates with a chapter-based model of volunteers who coordinate benefit concerts to address local hunger relief. This year, SGA’s annual benefit concert will support the Cleveland Kosher Food Pantry, a partner agency to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Founded 40 years ago as a support network assisting Russian immigrants with jobs, food and clothing, the Cleveland Kosher Food Pantry now feeds 5,000 people each month.

Reserve Your Seats & Make a Gift Today

With an ambitious fundraising goal to benefit the Cleveland Kosher Food Pantry, SGA invites you to attend and support this year’s free benefit concert, happening in person and via livestream at 7pm EST on Wednesday, February 23 in Mixon Hall. Featuring performances by CIM students and faculty, the benefit concert will also include a silent auction of items generously donated by organizations and businesses in University Circle.

To donate, visit the benefit concert’s GoFundMe.

While this benefit concert will not solve Cleveland’s food insecurity challenges, it is an example of how the CIM community can share its gifts for good in the city that provides us with so many opportunities. Please consider joining SGA in bringing the music of Debussy, Komitas, Ysaÿe, Piazzolla, Bozza and Brahms to Cleveland’s ears, and food to its table.