NEW YORK (AP) - "The Soloist," the upcoming movie about a
cellist who became homeless, has struck a chord with American
orchestras. They are mobilizing to help feed the hungry.
At least 163 orchestras in 45 states are expected to participate
in food drives in late March, a month before the movie's release on
April 24, the League of American Orchestras said Tuesday.
"The Soloist" is based on the true story about a schizophrenic
Juilliard-trained cellist (portrayed by Jamie Foxx) who becomes
homeless and is helped by a Los Angeles Times columnist (Robert
Downey Jr.).
"The story of 'The Soloist' reminds us that classical music has
the power to sustain spirits and change lives, even under the most
difficult circumstances," said Jesse Rosen, president and CEO of
the league, a national service organization for orchestras.
The food will be distributed to local assistance organizations
associated with the group Feeding America, which says its network
provides food to more than 25 million Americans a year.
Some of the activities, as provided by the league:
- The New York Philharmonic is partnering with Food Bank For New
York City to hold a food drive during a Young People's Concert on
March 28.
- The Louisiana Philharmonic will ask picnicking concertgoers to
make food donations at an April 22 outdoor concert in City Park.
- The Detroit Symphony is starting a monthlong drive on March
27.
- The Gemini Youth Orchestras organization of New York's Long
Island is planning a four-hour marathon concert on April 19. Each
family will be asked to donate cans of food.
- The Rhode Island Philharmonic and Music School will collect
food at concerts on March 19 and 21 and at the school's branches.
"Rhode Island is one of the hardest hit by this economic
downturn," Executive Director David J. Beauchesne said in a
statement. "We want to be part of the solution, not just another
organization that is asking for assistance."
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
