On March 11, 2013 Bach Collegium Japan (Masaaki Suzuki, conductor) joined with John Scott to hold a benefit concert, Music of J.S Bach, to raise funds for the victims who continue to suffer in the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan and Hurricane Sandy in New York. In addition to enjoying Bach’s glorious music which was beautifully performed, the audience heard moving remarks by Japan’s Consul General in New York, Ambassador Shugeyuki Hiroki, and by Alan Gilbert, Music Director of the New York Philharmonic.
The concert raised $13,864–proceeds were distributed evenly to two charities. Tohoku Help in Miyagi, Japan, received $6,932 to aid local organizations serving individuals in the regions hardest hit by the tsunami. In New York, Episcopal Charities received the same amount. To quote from the April 22, 2013 letter of thanks from their Executive Director, Mary Beth Sasso: “Your thoughtful contribution will help support programs that are helping those working to recover and rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. We continue to fulfill requests from parishes whose communities require disaster-related assistance. Our Director of Programs, The Rev. Sam Smith is working closely with others in the Diocese and beyond to ensure that longer-range impacts are also considered as affected areas continue the process of recovery….Our thanks go out to everyone involved with the benefit concert.”
