In response to the devastating impact of hurricane Helene that has affected countless families and communities in Western North Carolina, Belfast Chamber Music (BCM) is proud to announce a benefit concert, taking place on November 24, 2024, at 3:00 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 37 Miller Street in Belfast. Admission is free, with donations being accepted for relief programs in Western North Carolina, including the NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund and Mountain Housing Opportunities’ Housing Recovery Fund. We invite everyone to join us in this effort, as we come together to support our neighbors in their time of need.

“Witnessing the recent destruction around Asheville, where my family lived for over ten years, has been heartbreaking. More than a month after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, many communities in the region are still without water, power, infrastructure and a regular school schedule. Asheville’s art scene that has powered the region’s economy in recent decades has been destroyed. This concert aims to help artists and those most vulnerable in the area rebuild their lives.” said Philipp Elssner, BCM’s Artistic Director.

The program will feature classical works by Mozart, Berio, Walton, and Puts, and is accessible and fun for all. Elssner (violin/viola) will be joined by an incredible line-up of artists: Anastasia Antonacos (piano), Fred Edelen (cello), and Lydia Forbes (violin).

Belfast Chamber Music (BCM) of Belfast, Maine, was founded in 2024 by Philipp Elssner, a local artist. The goal of BCM is to give a platform to local musicians and invited guests, in order to provide the community with regular access to live classical music.