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Under overcast skies on a February weekend, Music and Love prepared to spread musical magic to the residents of Byron House. Vince Cao opened the performance with an intricate rendition of Gigue and Concertino on his violin. Soon after, Noah Chen got the audience excited with a lively performance of Fugue BWV 950 on the piano. The cascading sound of the keys filled the room. Michelle Niu played Xiyangyang on her violin. Her beautiful, pastel pink dress brightened the room instantly. To close the performance, Selena Ritschel performed Arabesque No. 1 and Minute Waltz. The tumbling scales in Minute Waltz were exhilarating. The seniors were all very happy to hear the effort we put into our music, and one audience member even said "the music makes [them] forget about all the other things going on during the day." We will be sure to come back soon! (Reported by Selena Ritschel)
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On a cloudy day, finally warming up from previously freezing temperatures, the performers of Music & Love visited Holy Cross Germantown Hospital for the first time to share their music. As this hospital was relatively new, the audience was small, but the intimate setting made the experience special. Sunlight shone through rows of windows, lighting up a warm scene with flags waving behind the brown piano. The performances began with Allie Rui, who played beautiful music on both the violin and piano. She was followed by Vince Cao, who played a lovely violin Concertino in G Major. The program featured many beautiful piano and violin performances, but “Take on Me” performed by Kevin Doan on the guitar really stood out. The event concluded with Selena Ritschel’s dreamlike and whimsical performance of “Deux Arabesques” on the piano. Everyone felt deeply grateful for the opportunity to share their music, brighten people’s days, and bring joy through the universal language of melody. (Reported by Benjamin Peng)
This Saturday morning, Music & Love volunteers visited APlus Senior Center and gave seniors a special Chinese New Year performance. All the volunteers spent months on their pieces and put in a lot of work. Even though the weather was freezing, that didn’t stop our enthusiasm. The seniors and staff were very friendly and warmly greeted us, making us feel truly welcome. The performance started at 10:30 am, with a talented ensemble. Talented musicians in the club performed with violin, piano, oboe, guitar, and drums. After an hour and a half of exciting and heartfelt performances, the performance concluded with a light-hearted festival overture played by Chris Wang. The performance was a valuable opportunity for volunteers, it was also good entertainment for all the seniors. We wish all the seniors a great health in the year of the snake with the best of luck, and hope to visit them again soon. (Reported by Chris Wang)
We are thrilled to announce that 9 talented young musicians from Music and Love Inc. have been honored with the President's Volunteer Service Award 2024 for their exceptional commitment to spreading joy through music and serving their community. Their hard work, passion, and dedication to our mission of bringing live music to nursing homes, hospitals, and community events have truly made a lasting impact. This prestigious recognition is a testament to their selflessness and the power of music in touching hearts and changing lives. (Reported by Allie Rui)
Our exciting performance at Raphael House was started off by Allie Rui on the violin, playing a beautiful rendition of Itzhak Perlman's Accolay Violin Concerto in A Minor. Vera and Victoria gave a wonderful presentation of the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song; the exciting tempo and deep, grand sound of their cellos electrified the atmosphere of the room in an instant. Marcus brought us back into the holiday spirit with a tranquil performance of Silent Night on his clarinet. Stephen Chen performed Chopin's Scherzo op. 31 on the piano, lighting up the room with majestic chords and thrilling high notes. In the end, we all came together to sing a cheerful birthday song for the staff, filling the air with joy and laughter. It was such a fun moment as everyone joined in, sharing smiles and good vibes while celebrating this special occasion together! We are very proud to have the opportunity to share our music with others and bring them some extra joy! (Reported by Selena Ritschel)
Our eventful concert took place today on a frigid snowy day although the employees welcomed us warmly. But despite this, and our few performers, we managed to make more seniors chuckle and clap. The performance kicked off with “Sunshower,” a sunny and bright piece ironic to the weather. Next, there were a few Christmas songs to make up for the Christmas and New Year we missed, as well as Concertino in G major, which was slow at first, but then transformed into quick notes. Sonata in A minor, played by the oboe, was a beautiful somber piece until it turned into a quick technical ending. Le Rappel des Oiseaux was filled with joy and playfulness as well as a calming atmosphere. The Caprice as well as another piece in E minor gave a sense of motion and liveliness, as well as intricate melodies. The concert concluded with a piece in A minor which was similar to the workings of a concerto, some parts slower than others. Once more our musicians brought joy into the seniors’ afternoon. (Reported by Angelina Lin)
The holiday season is just about over and our senior friends over at Byron House have already begun missing the sweet holiday songs that come on over the radio or the caroling that occurred in the senior center itself. Our group at Music and Love filled that gap and I am proud to report that the seniors really enjoyed the performance as the notes jumped around the room. Gabriel’s romantic Kangding Love Song must’ve bought back some very nice memories, Caitlyn’s Circus March bought the seniors back to the joyful atmosphere of a circus, Angelina’s Sunshower reminded the seniors of times when it rains on a sunny day, and Chris played a lovely violin piece as usual to give the crowd one big finale. It’s truly heartwarming to see the seniors applaud and to see the smiles on their faces showing that they loved the performances. That’s why we perform. (Reported by Aric Deng)
I am enjoying my winter break in China, and today I had the privilege of attending a heartwarming event co-organized by Music and Love and the Runmiao Volunteer Service Center. We performed for the residents of the Renafan Senior Living Center, marking my first visit to a senior living facility outside the United States. As I entered the center, I was greeted by the bright smiles of the audience, whose enthusiasm mirrored that of similar events I've experienced in the US. The young Chinese musicians showcased the extraordinary talent that left me in awe. Yixuan captivated everyone with her soulful erhu performance, the haunting melodies echoing beautifully throughout the room. Weihan and Jiahui each took the stage to present exquisite traditional Chinese dances, their movements telling rich stories that engaged the residents. The highlight of the event was Ziqi, who brought joy to all with an infectious song while skillfully drumming along. The vibrant rhythm and playful energy filled the space, making it impossible not to smile. To conclude the performance, I was honored to play the "Concerto in A Minor" by Accolay on the violin. Playing in this setting was a unique and transcendent experience for me, and it truly felt special to connect with such a warm and appreciative audience in China. (Reported by Allie Rui)
 As 2024 comes to a close, Music and Love Inc. is thrilled to share how your support has made a meaningful impact in our community. This year, we proudly donated $1,063 to our partner, the Children’s Inn at NIH, which serves as a haven for children with rare diseases and their families. These funds will support essential programs that provide comfort and care to those in need. We are also proud to have supported one of our musicians, Chloe Robertson, by contributing $100 toward the purchase of her bassoon through her GoFundMe campaign. Chloe's dedication to her music aligns with our mission to empower young musicians and spread the joy of music. Additionally, a friend of ours, Eric, covered the piano tuning fee $120 at Raphael House for our young musicians, as we perform regularly for the residents there. We couldn’t have achieved these milestones without the generosity of our donors, the passion of our musicians, and the support of our community. Together, we are making a difference through music and love. Thank you for being part of our journey in 2024. We look forward to creating more music, joy, and impact in the coming year. (Reported by Allie Rui)
Today was an extraordinary and memorable day for me, as I had the incredible opportunity to travel to China and celebrate the 19th International Human Solidarity Day. As a co-organizer of this meaningful event, I collaborated closely with JDV Global Education (Australia) and the XingYu Special Needs School (China) to bring everything together. This was my first time meeting the talented young musicians from the special needs school in person, and I was utterly amazed by their abilities. They showcased their remarkable skills through enchanting performances of Chinese classical dances, captivating martial arts, and lively pop songs that resonated with the audience. I had the honor of performing ‘Concerto in A Minor’ by Accolay on my violin. The experience was awesome; it was the best concert I’ve ever attended. At the end of the event, a reporter from Liaoning Radio and Television Station approached me for an interview about our event. I was so grateful for the chance to share the joy of music and the warmth of love and togetherness with everyone there. It was a day that truly touched my heart and left me feeling uplifted! (Reported by Allie Rui)
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