On May 4th, 2013, Livingston Taylor, Craig Cardiff, Meg’s Melodies, and The Rock to the Future House Band will perform to raise funds for nonprofit organization Rock to the Future. The benefit concert will run from 2pm-7pm at Asplundh Field House, located on 2775 Buck Road, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009. To purchase tickets online for the event please visit RocktotheFutureBenefit.org. If the event doesn’t sell out prior to the day of the event, tickets will also be available at the door.
High school student Jackie Shihadeh arranged this fundraising concert. Jackie, a multi-instrumental who wants to pursue a career in music business, realized the lack of music education students in Philadelphia receive. A senior at Academy of the New Church, Jackie decided to use her senior project as a fundraising opportunity to raise money for a musical organization. Jackie chose Rock to the Future as her charity recipient and secured national and international artists Livingston Taylor and Craig Cardiff, along with multiple event sponsors. There is also a donation page for those who wish to support Rock to the Future but cannot attend the concert.
All proceeds from this extraordinary event will benefit Rock to the Future. Rock to the Future’s mission is to provide music education to Philadelphia’s underserved youth at no cost to them or their families. Using music, the program ignites passion and creativity, supports academic achievement, and improves self-esteem. By empowering individuals, Rock to the Future is strengthening the community. In only three years time, Rock to the Future has grown from impacting only 13 youth to over 700 underserved, at-risk youth and has shown success in improving student academic performance, musical ability, and social skills.
Livingston Taylor, brother of singer-songwriter James Taylor, is a folk-rock singer who’s career has spanned forty years with over 15 albums released. With albums on both Capricorn and Epic Records, Livingston is the talent behind such songs as Pajamas, Boatman, and First Time Love.
Craig Cardiff, a Canadian folk singer, is known for his soft voice, digital vocal and guitar loops, and for the connections he makes with his fans. In 2012, Cardiff was nominated for a Juno Award for Roots and Traditional Album of the Year:Solo and for a Canadian Folk Music Award as Contemporary Singer of the Year.
Meg’s Melodies, the creation of and fronted by Meg Russell, is a children’s artist that has performed nationwide. Meg’s Melodies uses influences from Latin, big band, folk, and rock music to keep children and parents entertained. Meg Russell is a recent award winner of 2012 Creative Child’s Preferred Choice for her newest CD, Puzzle and a gold medal winner at the Great American Song Competition for the mid-Atlantic region.
The Rock to the Future House Band consists of students ages 12-17 that participate in Rock to the Future’s MusiCore afterschool program. These talented students have performed at renowned venues such as Union Transfer, World Café Live, 76ers basketball game, and community festivals. While students at Rock to the Future do write their own original music, the House Band performs a variety of cover songs from The Beatles, Fun., Nirvana, Jackson 5, and other family favorites.
“I chose to raise money for music education so that I can help other less fortunate kids experience the same positive impact of music that I have had in my life. I’ve done extensive research on the positive impacts of music education for children and found that music helps children grow academically, socially