Uptown Music Collective raises $5,000 for Meals on Wheels

Hunger Strike was a concert event that combined the music of grunge era giants Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, along with a smattering of music from early 1990's female artists. It was directed by students Greg Jones and Levi Stover, and involved over forty students from the nonprofit school of music. The concert raised money for the local Meals on Wheels organization through ticket sales, a raffle and donations. Over 470 people attended the event.

"Our yearly benefit shows are an important piece of connective tissue between our students and the community that they live in," said Dave Brumbaugh, Executive Director of the Uptown Music Collective. "Through these performances students have the opportunity to impact their community for the better, while doing something that they love, playing music. It's a great lesson for them and a great example for others. We are all very happy that we could contribute in a meaningful way, to this wonderful organizations work with area seniors."

Shawn Chism, a student who performed in the show said, "I was quite pleased to hear about the amount we achieved in just one night! I felt pleased to help out Meals on Wheels, an organization that delivers food to the elderly who can't necessarily get out to buy groceries for themselves. I think this a fantastic organization, and I would be glad to help out again!"

Established in April of 2000, the Uptown Music Collective, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit school of music, has developed a reputation as the premier source of music education in the area, with an enrollment of over 140 students. Offering private lessons at all levels on guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals, as well as classes and workshops in music theory, songwriting, and styles such as the Blues, Jazz, Classical and Rock. While the primary age range of Collective students is 10 - 18 yrs. of age, the schools programs are open all ages and levels. Along with private lessons, the UMC offers a myriad of programs including its flagship Performance Program. This program educates students about the ins and outs of major and minor performances, including direction, production, preparation and technical aspects of the performances.

The Uptown Music Collective is committed to providing comprehensive music education to dedicated music students in the Williamsport community and surrounding areas. The school feels strongly about the role of music in creating well-rounded, thoughtful young people, and works to establish characteristics such as self-discipline and personal responsibility in each of its students through healthy habits such as practice and self- control. Uptown Music Collective students consistently perform at high levels not only musically, but also in their respective schools and as valuable members of other community organizations.

The Uptown Music Collective started presenting benefit concerts after former student Brandon Route suggested a concert in 2010 to support earthquake relief in Haiti. Other benefit concerts presented by the Uptown Music Collective to date include; Youth for Haiti (Direct Relief International), Reaching Beyond Limits (The Children's Development Center) and the Purple Heart Project (The Wounded Warrior Project). Over the last four years the Uptown Music Collective has raised nearly $20,000 for other charities through its yearly benefit concerts.

"Uptown Music Collective students present check to local Meals on Wheels volunteers."