NEC Commemorates 5th Anniversary Of Boston Marathon Bombing

New England Conservatory (NEC) is presenting Boston Strong Music, a student-led concert to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Boston Marathon Bombing facilitated by NEC faculty Thomas Handel and Charles Peltz. The concert will take place at the Church of the Covenant Sunday, April 15, at 3 p.m., the day before this year's Boston Marathon, and will feature an address by Reverend Liz Walker.

"The Boston Marathon will always be a tradition that represents who we are as a city. Five years after the tragedy that impacted us all, Boston continues to show the world that we are strong, and our traditions will endure, no matter what," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "I applaud the New England Conservatory for using the power of music to bring together, empower, and uplift Bostonians from all backgrounds. Boston Strong Music embodies the spirit of One Boston Day and I hope others are inspired to follow their lead and do good for their community."

Boston Strong Music will celebrate the city's resilience, its sense of community and the promise of its young people by featuring uplifting and meaningful music with a series of short pieces and spoken word. Performances will span jazz, classical and roots music of all colors and creeds with students from around New England, the nation and the globe adding their voices to the celebration. NEC's talented musicians will include the Chamber Singers, Gospel Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, and a string chamber orchestra, among others. The concert will feature Vivaldi's "Spring" from The Seasons as well as the music of Copland, Bernstein, Bach and more.

"Our students, who come from across the country and around the world, feel a strong connection with Boston, and this concert provides a wonderful opportunity for them to honor our city's strength and perseverance." said Thomas Novak, Interim President at New England Conservatory. "It is inspiring for our students and faculty to share their artistry as a means of bringing the greater community together, and this concert reaffirms NEC's commitment to contributing to the city."

As NEC celebrates its 150th anniversary, Boston Strong Music will serve as a gift from its students to the City of Boston representing how all have risen up with strength from the tragedy five years ago. The idea was conceived out of a concert that NEC students performed on the Boston Common before Mayor Walsh's one-week commemoration in 2013.

The performance will take place at 3 p.m. at Church of the Covenant located at 67 Newbury Street in Boston, MA. Admission is free. For more information about the performance, please click here.

About New England Conservatory

Celebrating its 150th anniversary, New England Conservatory (NEC) is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools, educating and training musicians of all ages from around the world. With music students representing more than 40 countries, NEC cultivates a diverse, dynamic community for students, providing them with performance opportunities and high-caliber training by 225 internationally-esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of making and teaching music through college-level musical training in classical, jazz and Contemporary Improvisation. It offers unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships that empower students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC's mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Preparatory School and School of Continuing Education delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students and adults.

Founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1867 by Eben Tourjée, NEC created a new model of conservatory that combined the best of European tradition with American innovation. NEC is at the center of Boston's rich cultural history and musical life offering concerts performed in NEC's renowned venue Jordan Hall. Alumni go on to fill orchestra chairs, concert hall stages, jazz clubs, recording studios and arts management positions worldwide. necmusic.edu

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