July 22, 2009

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. – The annual Sing-a-Thon/Play-a-Thon hosted by the Dutchess Community College Music School will be held on August 1 from 2-5 p.m. in the James and Betty Hall Theatre on the main DCC campus in Poughkeepsie.

DCC students, faculty and community members will gather for vocal and instrumental performances to benefit the MusicLink Scholarship Fund, which provides free or low-cost music lessons to students who could otherwise not afford them. The performance is free, but optional donations to MusicLink will be collected at the door. Additionally, the performers have requested sponsors for their efforts, with proceeds going to MusicLink.

The show will begin with a drum piece by Vin Kaz Casucci, and continue with more performances in various styles including classical, folk, jazz, and pop.

MusicLink has sponsored more than 70 students ranging in age from infancy to age 20 since the program’s inception in 2000. In addition to fundraisers such as the Sing-a-Thon/Play-a-Thon, MusicLink receives funding from long-time DCC benefactor Allyn J. Washington, The Bentley Fund, the Kanter Kallman Foundation, the Andrew R. DeMar Family Foundation, and the Ann and Abe Effron Fund of the Community Foundation of Dutchess County.

For more information about the concert or the music school, or to sponsor a performer, contact DCC Music School Director Julie Wegener at 845-431-8916 or wegener@sunydutchess.edu.

The DCC Office of Community Services and Special Programs offers non-credit courses to meet the continuing education needs of civic, cultural, business and professional groups and the community at large. Visit www.sunydutchess.edu/continuingeducation.