By Mark Taylor

It’s a simple song of one verse and one chorus and right now is being played all around the world, the National Anthem of Ukraine. It is just one performance being featured at a benefit concert for peace in San Francisco organized by and featuring SFCM students. 

The Ukraine Benefit Concert for Peace will include live performances and a silent auction on Sunday, March 6th at Patricia’s Green, found just steps away from SFCM. It was organized by student Rose Crelli ‘22, (pictured below) who collaborated with other students and local businesses. “Donating our music to charity benefit concerts is one of the most effective and selfless ways to give back to the world with our art and make a tangible difference,” Crelli said. SFCM is providing all equipment for the outdoor concert.

The senior had previously put together a benefit concert for Palestine, “I knew that I was capable of doing it again, and wanted to help,” Crelli said. Crelli crowdsourced her friends and the local SFCM community to build a full roster of 21 separate acts including vocalists and instrumentalists, “I am super proud and grateful of everyone who has stepped up to be a part of this,” she added. Crelli is a violin player and will be performing Appalachia Waltz, by Mark O’Conner, Randy’s Waltz by Andy Carlson, and a classic rendition of If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys. 

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In addition to music performances, a silent auction will also be held featuring donations from nearly a dozen nearby businesses including Salt & Straw, Al Pastor Papi, Limoncello, Barren Co Jewelry, LuxFit, La Boulangerie, and several others, “People can bid on the goods or services donated, and all of the money raised from the auction goes directly to the charity,” Crelli said.

Money raised from the fundraiser will be donated to Santa Barbara based non-profit Direct Relief. The organization’s mission is to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies without regard to politics, religion, or the ability to pay. “They are building a bunch of medical backpacks and supplies right now,” Crelli said.

Crelli hopes the concert not only raises money to help the people of the country recently invaded by Russia, but shows emotional support for the community at large, “Expect a lot of heartfelt performances,” Crelli said. The concert will also feature uplifting songs to build community spirit, and a surprise or two, “There is going to be a big group performance for the grand finale at the end," she added.

The Ukraine Benefit Concert for Peace will be Sunday, March 6th from 12-2 PM at Patricia’s Green in San Francisco.