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GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT LUNCH
WHAT IS LUNCH's MISSION?
LUNCH is a unique blend of Arts, Education, and Community Outreach.
LUNCH follows the example set by singer-songwriter Harry Chapin,
using the power of popular music to produce positive social action. We
involve kids in our events to show that they can make a difference in the
lives of others. Through music and theater, LUNCH seeks to address issues
of hunger and poverty through awareness and financial support. By
providing a positive experience in community outreach through the arts, we
encourage kids to grow into tomorrow's leaders who will shape a world free
of
intolerance, injustice, and indifference. LUNCH was founded in 1989
by nationally known singer-songwriter and author
Bill Pere.
WHO ARE THE PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS THAT PERFORM IN LUNCH?
LUNCH is led by nationally-known singer-songwriter
Bill Pere, who is one of
Connecticut's Official State Troubadours, the 2003 national Indie Artist of
the Year, and a two-time Connecticut Songwriter of the Year.
Other professional artists from the Connecticut Songwriters
Association have performed with the group in various shows, including Scott Sivakoff, Les Julian, Nancy Tucker,
Tom Callinan,
Kay Pere, Shauna Beth Mandelburg, Don Donegan, Larry Batter,
and many more. We have also done concerts along with members of the
Chapin Family (Jen, Steve, Tom, Jonathan) and the original members of Harry
Chapin's band (Big John Wallace and Howard Fields).
DO I HAVE TO HAVE LOTS OF MUSICAL TALENT TO PARTICIPATE ?
LUNCH is not about being a star -- it is about ordinary people being part
of
a team that works together to have fun and to help people through music and
theater. Whatever talents you can offer will be used, but the most
important qualification is the desire to be part of a group rather than an
individual star, and to benefit others.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DOES LUNCH DO?
LUNCH events are family shows for kids and adults of all ages. We mostly do
the songs of Harry Chapin or original songs written by
Bill Pere,
Kay Pere,
and other artists from the
Connecticut Songwriters Association. Our stage
shows are all original plays, blended with musical numbers by the Ensemble.
Harry Chapin was a popular singer/songwriter in the 70's who donated much
of
his income to hunger relief, and founded World Hunger Year. He died in a
car accident in 1981, and received a Congressional Medal for his
humanitarian
work.
HOW DOES LUNCH RECORD CD's?
We have a complete recording studio and we bring groups of kids in from
various schools to sing on our original songs and learn about music
technology. If you would like to participate in a
LUNCH CD, please contact
us. We have recorded and released 16 CD's and our songs our
distributed worldwide through Apple i-Tunes, MusicNet, Rhapsody,
CDBaby,
and more.
IS THERE A FEE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LUNCH ENSEMBLE?
LUNCH is an all-volunteer program, and we do not charge any fees for
participation. Donations are accepted but never required, and all
contributions are tax-deductible.
Participants receive :
Professional performing/recording opportunities
Performance Coaching
Letters of Recommendation for school, college, or job applications
Assistance with related school projects
Photos of events
Practice CD's, sheet music
LUNCH participation gifts
Eligibility for community service scholarship
(in 5th year of
participation)
Use of recording studio
Mentoring in songwriting, composition and performance
Show Cast parties, Christmas party, Fall Picnic, etc.
Participation in Special Activities
Merchandise Discounts
DO I HAVE TO AUDITION TO BE IN LUNCH?
There are no auditions to be part of the group, however we do have an
initial meeting with interested kids and parents to discuss the program to see
if it a good fit. If we are doing a stage
show or music solos, we will sometimes audition participants to see who
best fits a particular role, but everyone always gets to participate in
some
capacity.
All you need is a song in your heart.
IS LUNCH A SECULAR ORGANIZATION?
Hunger knows no boundaries of religion or belief system. In addition to
our
civic events, LUNCH will perform in houses of worship of any denomination
in any religion where we are invited. Our songs and message speak to the
universal need to care about each other and to accept the differences that
make each of us unique. We do not promote any one belief system over any
other.
WHAT IS LUNCH SUMMER CAMP ?
The music camp is held in partnership with Camp Wightman in North
Stonington. Bill Pere is the music
director for between 30-40 campers from all over Connecticut who are in
grades 4-7. LUNCH takes 6-10 interns for the week to help out with teaching
the music. Camp Wightman is a beautiful setting on Billings Lake, with
great
facilities. Many of the kids who attend as campers later become regular
LUNCH participants, or Music Camp Counselors. Visit our
Summer Camp page, and for information on Camp
Wightman, go to
www.campwightman.org.
WHAT IS VOICES FOR HOPE ?
Voices for Hope is a vocal competition sponsored by LUNCH which offers a
scholarship and professional recording and performing opportunities for
young vocalists. Voices For Hope finalists have made several professional
recordings with LUNCH which have been released worldwide, and performed in
professional concert events. There are videos on our YouTube channel. The event benefits a partner organization
chosen by LUNCH. See the Voices
For Hope page for all the details.
HOW CAN I GET LUNCH TO PERFORM AT MY SCHOOL OR EVENT? LUNCH will be
happy to do a program for any school, church, or civic organization where
we are invited. Proceeds from our programs are used in our community
outreach
activities. To have us do a program for you, just
contact us.
HOW CAN I HELP AS A LUNCH VOLUNTEER ?
o Performing (all aspects of music and stage)
o Choreography
o Event coordination (all phases)
o Photography/Video
o Activity Scheduling and Coordination
o Road Crew/Tech/Sound
o Fund Raising
o Phone Tree
o Publicity/Promotion (all phases)
o Networking
o Logistics
o Transportation
o Graphic Design/Printed Material
o Secretarial/Clerical/Admin
o Recruiting
o Sets & Props construction and painting
o Sewing Costumes
o Hospitality, Snacks, Thank You notes, etc.
HOW CAN I MAKE A DONATION TO LUNCH?
You can do it from our website via credit card, or you can send a check to
Local United Network to Combat Hunger, PO Box 511, Mystic CT 06355.
We also accept donations of items such as used office equipment, music
equipment, theater props/costumes, raffle/auction items, etc.
All donations are fully tax-deductible.
HOW MUCH MONEY HAS LUNCH RAISED?
Through our
Harry Chapin Shows, Holiday Shows, CD's and other concerts, we
have raised almost $1,000,000 to support many
social service agencies and
community outreach opportunities for kids through music.
HOW CAN I GET LUNCH CD's ?
Right here on the web site. Our music is also available through
iTunes,
or
CDBaby, and many other distribution networks. Or you can
get then at our live shows.
ARE THERE LUNCH USIC VIDEOS ?
Yes - we have a
YouTube channel, and we have DVD's
available of some of our concerts and stage plays.
HOW CAN I GET ONE OF THE SPECIAL TIE-DYE LUNCH SHIRTS?
At any of our live shows, or through the mail.
E-mail us for details
Back to top
You Are Here >
For
general questions, click here
For What we Do and How to be Involved, click here
To see what others say about LUNCH, click here
For a list of agencies we have helped, click
here
To learn more about the Founder of LUNCH,
click here
Programs for
developing young talent
Articles About
LUNCH
For a list of LUNCH program sponsors,
click here
For a timeline of LUNCH events, click
here
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