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the “Something Grand” benefit concert. Photo by Teresa Engel
Annual concert nets thousands of dollars for Army music programs.
By Teresa Engel
The Salvation Army in the Portland (Ore.) Metro area celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ on March 30 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with “Something Grand,” a benefit concert for the Army’s after-school music programs. Ten grand pianos and ten pianists—all on one stage for 90 minutes—shared the gift of music and the joyous spirit of Easter. The concert raised over $15,000, with donations still coming in.
Headliner Michael Allen Harrison, a renowned pianist native to Portland, played alongside colleagues from the music industry, including Michael Kaeshammer, Mac Potts and Barbara Roberts, and several youth protégé pianists. The musicians played together and individually, performing classics by Chopin and Gershwin and modern songs by Adele and Fun.
“This is an exciting opportunity for The Salvation Army to reach a whole new audience and to showcase such an important part of our ministry,” said Major Don Gilger, Portland Metro coordinator and Cascade divisional secretary.
After last year’s concert, which raised $10,000, The Salvation Army in the Portland Metro area launched several new music programs, including the “Gresham BlueGrass Ensemble” and the “Gresham Glee” group at the Gresham Corps, as well as a chimes class at the Moore Street Corps, purchased musical instruments and tuned up existing ones.