NDSU Performing Arts and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony raised $5,420 at a free Hurricane Relief Concert held at Festival Concert Hall Sept. 17. Audience donations went to the American Red Cross – Dakotas Chapter for relief efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Donations continue to come in, and may be made online.

The event included performances by the FM Symphony Brass Quintet, members of the NDSU BisonArts Singers with the Radio All Stars, symphony violinist and Houston native Sonja Harasim and other musicians with the symphony and the NDSU Challey School of Music.

Linda Boyd, F-M Symphony executive director, and John Miller, director of the NDSU Division of Performing Arts, emceed the event. NDSU President Dean Bresciani and American Red Cross Dakotas Region CEO Lynn Speral thanked the performers and several hundred audience members for their support of the relief efforts.

Two of the musicians provided personal insights into the impact of hurricanes. NDSU music professor and F-M Symphony trumpet player Jeremy Brekke lived in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and recounted the aftermath of flood damage to his home and the vital support of the Red Cross. Concordia music professor Sonja Harasim talked about her hometown of Houston and how family and friends fared after Hurricane Harvey.

Music performed at the event included “Quintet” by Michael Kamen, “Houston” by Lee Hazlewood, “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen/arranged by Russ Peterson and a Dixieland parade-style postlude, followed by music with the Radio All Stars in the Challey Atrium.

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