I sat in the audience last April and heard an incredible musician and dear friend sing: “I sit down in my favorite chair and float down stream. Let my hand drop in the water and catch a dream.” I knew my dream was becoming reality as Anne Hills’ rich, clear voice filled the Nichols Concert Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston, Illinois during a benefit folk concert for The Hadley School for the Blind.
I am the instructor for Hadley’s social skills series, offered to family members and professionals working with blind youngsters. I had designed an optional musical component for this series, addressing social issues through music. I arranged a two-CD collection of music by 18 artists. Award-winning musicians Anne Hills and David Roth—both acoustic folk song artists with deep Chicago roots—were among my strongest supporters. This incredible double-bill folk concert to benefit our school was prompted by their involvement in my music project.
The Nichols Concert Hall, one of the best acoustic venues in the Chicago area, is typically out of financial reach for a benefit concert. Rick Kogan of WGN Radio helped me work with Fiona Queen and other staff from the Music Institute, who generously waived concert hall and grand piano rental fees. Local merchants, blindness agencies throughout the country and individuals donated raffle prizes, artwork for a silent auction, refreshments, and funds to cover the costs to sponsor the artists and pay for a sound technician. In the end, we raised $6,200 and shared new awareness and understanding about our school with many who did not know about us and the services and distance education opportunities we offer.
“I was thrilled when Linn asked me to be part of this benefit,” said Anne. “Blindness is a personal issue for me. My mother lost her sight to macular degeneration over 10 years ago at a time when she was assisting my grandmother, who had lost her sight. Both women taught me about resilience and patience and widened my awareness of age-related blindness. Linn has opened my eyes to the experiences of those who live a lifetime of blindness. She is a gifted storyteller, has boundless energy and creates an atmosphere of warmth and optimism. Who could say ‘no’ to her?”
“To be able to offer my songs in support of people who take inspiration or hope from them is a great honor, so my ‘yes’ was easy and emphatic,” said David. “The natural extension of this collaboration was a live event, and this concert with longtime friend Anne, in my own hometown for a good cause is a dream come true.”
The concert’s theme focused on one’s inner spirit turning from a feeling of darkness into light while working through the process of growth and learning during the experience of vision loss. Our school helps that happen through the courses we offer and the caring we share with our students. Several of the songs focused on teaching, caring for others and persons with disabilities. The event was wonderful, and its messages warmed our audience.
Linn Sorge
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