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The Cleveland POPS Orchestra Teams Up With The League of American Orchestras, Feeding America and Participant Media for National Food Drive Inspired by the Upcoming Film The Soloist

More Than 250 Orchestras Will Participate in "Orchestras Feeding America"

(February 29, 2009) Cleveland, Ohio – The Cleveland Pops Orchestra will be participating in Orchestras Feeding America, a large-scale national food drive involving more than 250 orchestras in 45 states. Attendees of the April 4th Cleveland Pops Concert at Severance Hall are asked to bring boxed or canned food to the concert. The food will be collected and distributed via The Cleveland Food Bank. For more information about Orchestras Feeding America, including a list of participating orchestras, please visit the League’s website americanorchestras.org.

Shirley Morgenstern, President of The Cleveland Pops Orchestra stated “We are proud to be able to participate in this worthy cause. The Cleveland Pops believes in giving back to create a stronger, healthier community. Music and food feed our souls and this is a wonderful opportunity for us to contribute to both. ”

Orchestras Feeding America, is inspired by the upcoming film The Soloist, starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr., and directed by Joe Wright to be released by Paramount Pictures to theaters nationwide on April 24.  A DreamWorks Pictures/Universal Pictures presentation in association with Studio Canal and Participant Media, the film is based on the true story of the relationship between Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a gifted Juilliard-trained string player whose mental illness landed him among the homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. Featuring the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Soloist is a testament to the redemptive power of music and a reminder of our connections to the most vulnerable among us.

America’s symphony, chamber, collegiate, and youth orchestras touch the lives of nearly 30 million people annually, in all 50 states and in virtually every community. In 2006-07 America’s orchestras performed more than 37,000 concerts, of which nearly half were dedicated to engaging young people and the broader community in the musical experience. Nearly 25% of the music performed by American orchestras was written by American composers; in 2007-08 the programs ranged from beloved classics to more than 120 world premieres.

About the Cleveland POPS Orchestra

The Cleveland POPS Orchestra has been entertaining audiences throughout greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio for over a decade. They are renowned for their exciting and innovative blend of popular music, standards, Broadway, show tunes, movie scores, swing and jazz performances.  Each year they perform a five concert subscription series, a holiday concert and a special New Years Eve show.  The Cleveland POPS is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization funded in part by grants from Ohio Arts Council, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and marketing assistance from the Ohio Division of Travel & Tourism.” They are located at 24000 Mercantile Blvd., Unit 11, Beachwood, Ohio 44122.  They can be reached at 216-765-7677 or on the web at www.clevelandpops.com

About Feeding America

(Formerly named America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network)

Feeding America provides individuals and families facing hunger with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger through emergency food assistance and programs. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit feedingamerica.org.

About the League of American Orchestras

The League of American Orchestras leads, encourages, supports, and serves orchestras as they assure the vitality of the musical experience, strengthen their organizations, and deepen their connections with their public and their communities. Founded in 1942, the League serves member symphony, chamber, youth, and university orchestras of all sizes, and supports a network of thousands of administrators, board members, musicians, conductors, volunteers, and business partners. Visit americanorchestras.org to learn more.

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