This evening's Music Kitchen performance was special in so many ways. Firstly, we had the largest audience yet at Turning Point, completely filling the intimate room- 23 listeners plus the string quartet. Our audience was comprised of clients both from this shelter, for those up to age 26, as well as the younger ones 16-18 from the other partner shelter nearby. Plus, I had a surprise to share with the clients at the end of our performance. This time many familiar faces had disappeared, having moved on with their lives, replaced by this new group of inquisitive and eager as well as shy listeners. One young woman I did recognize right away and fondly from previous concerts, though another young man I hadn't recognized enthusiastically told me that he had been at a Music Kitchen concert before. The music chosen for tonight was a long time favorite of mine, the Ravel String Quartet, performed by a wonderful group of players, some of my favorite colleagues from the New Jersey Symphony. The quartet of Ravel is a marvel in both stunning lyricism and sizzle and shimmer, and this group performed with sensitivity and with tons of interaction. I always worry a bit about how brand new listeners will respond, especially the younger ones, but they all were soon drawn into the drama of the work. We finished the first movement and I asked for questions. "Yes," a young woman asked, "I'd like to know what's the story behind this piece? What was the composer feeling and what is the background of his writing it?" Kyle jumped right in with exactly the kind of answer the young woman was looking for, about how Ravel wrote the work to submit to the prestigious Prix de Rome but was rejected no fewer than 3 times, creating a scandal. But Ravel later became revered in the wake of the public shaming. Now the listeners were intrigued on a different level and were really with us. Then we talked about all the many influences that go into classical music of this period, jazz, of course, but also from the International Exhibition in Paris in 1889, Asian music like the Javanese Gamelan. That was one of the big influences for the composition of the next movement. One man had his hand up with a question, "Don't you have any American music?"
"Not tonight, just French,” I said. “You can think of this as the International Exhibition of 2011- we're going to expose you to some things that maybe you've never heard before." They laughed, but I heard a tiny voice say, "I have." Of course, I recognized it- "Yes, Kaya, I know, you've sung Bach in Carnegie Hall!" And it turns out she was far from the only one with a history of music in their past or a burning desire for it in their future. "Is it possible for me to take violin lessons?" one asked. "I may be able to help you with that," I replied. "Where can I hear more music like this?" The quartet members offered to make their comp tickets available for the New Jersey Symphony, of course. I also added, "You live in New York City! You can hear great music in so many places!" But suddenly I was conscious of the deficit of places where classical music is free or at least accessible to economically disadvantaged audiences. I began listing free series that I knew, particularly ones which become available in warm weather- Bryant Park, for one, Lincoln Center ‘Out of Doors’, as another. But as soon as we listed one, the listeners kept listing more and more. I wasn't familiar with all of their places listed but it was more important that they were excited to go out and explore their options. But the truth is, and the reason that I do this is that, really- this music is not accessible enough to people in their circumstances.

One woman asked if we have played in other places, “like Georgia or Alabama.” I told them I like to quote my friend and colleague, Amadi when people ask about my travels- I started playing when I was 9 because I fell in love with the music. ‘But if someone had told me because of that, this instrument would take me all over the world, I wouldn't have believed it.’ I told them I've been fortunate to travel to places like Japan, Europe, even to the White House to meet President Obama. I showed the photo I recently received and they were amazed. But I went back to the young woman's question. She is a singer and was not sure how to handle a warm reception here, a cooler reception there. I hoped to encourage her by saying that people around you will always change, but if you stay true to your own voice you will always come out on top.

Tonight there were so many wonderful people, wonderful questions and interactions and great music. But there was more- it was time to reveal the surprise. I reminded the listeners that my mission with Music Kitchen is about music, and that a wonderful woman I recently met only on the phone so loves what I'm doing that she wanted to offer what she does through her own organization. "She makes Teddy Bears by hand and when she heard I was coming here tonight, she wanted each one of you to have one." There was an instant chorus of "Awww!!" And as I read the precious note that comes attached to each hand-made bear about being a good friend to whomever needs it, the chorus grew louder! "Awwwwww!!!!" To think - I wasn't sure how young people at this age would respond! A staff member brought in the first box of 12. There were 24 in all and when I asked who would like one, I expected some to begin to leave if they weren't interested. Not a single person left their chair, but rather sat there hopeful that what I was saying was true. As I opened the box, the room was abuzz with joy - I began putting the tags on and handing out the bears. They were cuddled immediately by each person. One young woman, upon learning that the name of the organization was "Penny Bear," instantly said, "Mine is French- It's Pennée." it was truly wonderful to be able to bring so much joy, not only with the music but with a hand-made gift from someone who cares enough to share it so generously. The clients were all very moved. "It's so nice of her to do this!" One woman asked, “Can I make a little blanket for Penny? (the kind woman who makes these bears)” “She did this nice thing for me and I want to do something nice for her in return!” Thankfully, each person in the room received a bear, even the teenage boys each wanted one.

When everyone had received a bear, many hugged me before leaving the room. I wondered if the boys really felt good about receiving a Teddy Bear. Her reply was insightful, “They’ll love them. They may have a tough exterior, but they’re all just little boys inside.” By the time I was preparing to go, ‘Kaya’, the one who wished to make a blanket for Penny, had already returned from her room with her own hand-made knitted hat for the bear. She posed the bear in its tam lovingly on her lap. Another 25 year old woman who kept mentioning the Kips School to me finally revealed that she was one of their original graduates and had played in the orchestra once upon a time in 7th grade. “Oh, Mr. Levin would be so mad to know I was here in this place…It’s so important what you’re doing, exposing people our age to music they might never have been exposed to…They’re probably gonna appreciate this day for the rest of their lives because they didn’t ever have somebody who care enough to show this new type of music to them.”

Following are notes from the listeners:

Thank you for your support of Music Kitchen – Food for the Soul.

Sincerely,
Kelly Hall-Tompkins, President/Founder/Violinist