INFM Sponsors Community Music Event for East Fallowfield Township, PA
Jazz band performing at the Stottsville Inn on April 20,2024. Amanda Smith (piano), Matt Stolarski (guitar), Jack Harnish (bass), Jordan Colucci (drums), and Francesco Protasi (saxophone). Photo by Jae Winter.
In support of our mission area of the Gift of Performance, INFM (If Not For Music), in association with East Fallowfield Township, sponsored a community music event at the Stottsville Inn on Saturday, April 20, 2024. The audience consisted of over 70 Township officials and volunteers. The jazz band provided by INFM were rising musicians from the Wells School of Music at West Chester University. President Advisory Council member Dr. Chris Hanning, Dean of the Wells School of Music, collaborated in identifying the band which included: Amanda Smith (piano), Matt Stolarski (guitar), Jack Harnish (bass), Jordan Colucci (drums), and Francesco Protasi (saxophone).
The band performed two sets of improvisational jazz music that thoroughly engaged the audience. "It was a wonderful, rousing success", said Township staff person Denise Verderoso. "The music was just wonderful. What you are doing is so needed", added Township Supervisor Wilson Lambert, a musician himself. INFM's Jae Winter and Roger Mustalish spoke to the audience about our mission and introduced the band. The event also generated several donations of instruments from the audience.
In speaking to the student performers afterward about the importance to them as performers, Jack Harnish said, "Public performance events in front of an audience is essential for our musical development." He added, "It doesn't matter how good you are in practice if you can't deliver for an audience." Francesco Protasi concurred, "Such events allow us to play a song convincingly." Other band members agreed that such ensemble events allow each member to bring their individual talents to a group and integrate them in a seamless way. "Thank you If Not for Music!" was expressed by each band member. Cost of the event was underwritten by a donation from the Board of Directors of INFM. Band members, Jae and Roger all agreed, "We have to do this again!"