Concert Raises Funds for Ukrainian Bomb Shelter

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The benefit concert featured 41 musicians from Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Ithaca Community Orchestra, Opus Ithaca School of Music and the Kendal at Ithaca Chorus. The groups performed four pieces that were created by Ukrainian composers, including “Oh the Red Viburnum in the Meadow,” a Ukrainian patriotic song, “Fantasia on the Ukrainian Bell Carol,” “Flute Sonata, Movement 1” by Ukrainian composer Sergei Prokofiev and the Ukrainian national anthem.

Also performing in the concert was composer and pianist Emmanuel Sikora, who has worked with orchestras in Lviv and gave his concerto debut with the Ukrainian Festival Orchestra in 2021. Flutist and organizer Negrea has three Ukrainian grandparents, one of whom was born in Lviv.

During intermission, attendees were able to bid in a silent auction for artwork created by 10 local artists and two gift cards from local businesses. A few of the artists created their pieces in inspiration of Ukraine.

Painter Annemiek Haralson said she created her piece “Sunflowers and Blue Skies” at the start of the RussianUkrainian War because she felt helpless and angry, but wanted to still create something with beauty. Bulgarian violinist and painter Irina Kassabova said that having lived in a small eastern European country that transitioned away from Soviet rule, she feels close to the people of Ukraine and the faith and hardships they are experiencing.

“This is really just a small thing that a group of dedicated volunteers can do from very far away to make a