Veterans Classical Music Fundraiser

The Inaugural Semper Fi Fundraiser will take place on Sunday, September 16th at 3 PM. The classical program will feature solo cello, voice, and NYC based Trío de Reinas in works ranging from J.S. Bach, Piazzolla, and Khachaturian to modern jazz arrangements. 100% of the proceeds will go towards the Semper Fi Fund, which provides urgently needed resources and support for post 9/11 combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. There is a $15 Suggested donation, with a raffle and reception to follow. The concert will take place at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 199 Carroll Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231.

Cellist and organizer Maria Di Meglio was born and raised in Brooklyn. She began studying cello at the Carroll School (P.S 58) and attended the La Guardia High School of Music and Art (the Fame School). She currently tours internationally with the chamberfolk trio Harpeth Rising as a cellist and vocalist. Her performances have taken her from orchestra concerts and recitals at Carnegie Hall to the National Folk Festival of Australia with Harpeth Rising.

Trio de Reinas is a collective of professional musicians, mothers all. The three are graduates of Queens College, two went on to study at Julliard, while the third went on to her own far-flung adventures. All three are denizens of Queens and all are recent Moms. They discovered one another on the street, babies in tow, and upon discovering their mutual vocation they decided to collaborate and the 'three Queens' moniker was born.

The Trio de Reinas have taken on what they consider to be a vital mission of inspiring other parents/artists to embrace their dreams as well as their children--rejecting the outworn idea that becoming a parent means forfeit of one's highest aspirations. Rehearsals are a symphony of rattling toys, euphonious laughter, dimpled babies and delightful music. The children are exposed early to tonality and often find time to express their own innate musical ideas! They develop their ears' natural musical ability as a prelude to their adult lives--a good foundation! This labor of love has informed the project with many high hopes for the future. New pieces are under development.

The Semper Fi Fund is a veterans charity that provides urgently needed resources and support for post 9/11 combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. The Semper Fi Fund was presented with the U.S. Special Operations Command Patriot Award for exceptional and enduring contributions to the welfare of Special Operations Command wounded warriors and their families. They are one of only two veteran nonprofits to maintain an A+ rating from Charity Watch. In 2018 they received the Platinum Seal of Transparency. More information is available online at www.semperfifund.org.