Blair precollege students organize concert to benefit ‘The Contributor’

Allison Pao, John Hartley and Jocelyn Hartley, all students at MLK High School and members of the Curb Youth Symphony at the Blair School, have organized a concert to benefit The Contributor.

The Contributor is a local newspaper that offers homeless Nashvillians the opportunity to make a living by selling the paper on street corners and other high-traffic areas. Vendors buy the papers for 25 cents apiece and sell them for $1 apiece. The paper, while popular, has been in financial straits, and faces possible closure if additional capital funds are not raised.

Pao and the Hartleys, in the hope of using music to benefit the community, have organized a concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Eastwood Christian Church in East Nashville. Performers will include student and professional musicians, including members of the Nashville Symphony.

Highlights will include: The Pearl String Quartet performing Beethoven’s String Quartet Op. 18 No. 6; a brass quintet from MLK High School performing Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”; a trombone duet rendition of Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop”; and more surprises!

The Contributor benefit concert. 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, Eastwood Christian Church, 1601 Eastland Ave. Suggested minimum donation: $10. There will also be a bake sale. For more information, contact Allison Pao or John Hartley.