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Student musicians put on concert to raise money for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico

100 percent of proceeds go to relief efforts
Posted at 8:27 PM, Oct 29, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-30 00:20:23-04

CINCINNATI -- Groups of student musicians are vocal: They say they’re not going to forget those impacted by Hurricane Maria.

The musicians joined together for a concert Sunday, about a month after Maria ripped through Puerto Rico, to raise money for hurricane victims. The $3,500 raised will be donated to Matthew 25 Ministries to help with relief efforts.

Roughly 70 percent of the U.S. territory remains without power, the Associated Press reported.

Tim Garry, owner of School of Rock Mason, said a group of kids came to him with the idea of hosting a benefit for Hurricane Maria victims.

“What’s amazing is that it’s not just the music. It’s the activity of these kids collectively coming together,” Garry said.

Students from 10 school districts pulled the concert together in just a few months, Garry said.   

“It’s pretty phenomenal what they’re capable of doing,” he said.

Jillian Gavigan, a junior at Bishop Fenwick High School, takes lessons at School of Rock Mason. The singer/bassist/keyboardist said she was nervous but mostly excited to be on stage for the benefit.

“I don’t even know how to put it into words. It’s an amazing thing when you’re in this room with all these people and you might not know them very well or whatever but you all have that same common interest, and it draws you together in such a beautiful way,” she said.

Eliot Sloan has played music all his life. He said he believes music touches people, and he hopes the proceeds from the concert will touch many lives in Puerto Rico.

“It’s money, but it’s more than just about the money,” Sloan said. “We want the people to know down there, even though we don’t live down there, we care. We really do. People have friends, loved ones in that area. We’re all just people. We just want to help others.”