New Orleans Rebuilding
During Spring Break 2008, we will be traveling to New Orleans to help rebuild houses. Matt McCabe will lead us under the St. Bernard Project.
If you're interested in helping out, we are looking for any able hands. You don't need ANY special training. Just two helping hands and 7 days during March 8-16, 2008 (5 to work, the rest to make the trip). There will be time to chill and visit the city at night after working during the day. You do NOT need to be a member of SCI!!! You can also bring friends and/or family members.
Due to restraints with Student Government money, we will need to fundraise for this event. Anyone willing to help, we need fundraising ideas!!!
For those interested, we are working on getting a performance opportunity at Tulane. In order to get your works performed, however, you MUST go to New Orleans!
Call for Participation
The University of Florida Chapter of the Society of Composers, Inc.
invites members of the UF Music Department, family, friends, and other
interested parties to participate in a volunteer trip to New Orleans,
Louisiana, March 9 - 15, 2008.
We are currently seeking participants in the following 4 areas:
1) Volunteers
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In late August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the city of New
Orleans, causing widespread devestation in both the city and
surrounding parishes. Most of the region lies below sea level, and the
levee system intended to protect the city from flooding experienced a
catastrophic failure. 80% of the city lay underwater following the 53
levee breaches. Some areas remained flooded for 2-3 weeks after the
storm.
One of the hardest hit areas was St. Bernard Parish, located to the
east of the city of New Orleans. Nearly every structure in the parish
was damaged during Katrina's 25-foot storm surge. 100% of the parish
flooded.
Since 2006, the St. Bernard Project, a United Way-funded organization,
provides reconstruction services to qualified residents who wish to
rebuild their homes. The organization is completely volunteer driven. A
short multimedia piece about one of the Project's clients can be found
at: http://www.patsemansky.com/mack/.
Members of the UF SCI Chapter will travel to New Orleans to assist in
the rebuilding efforts during UF's Spring Break week, March 9 - 15,
2008. We have reserved enough space for volunteers beyond the SCI
chapter to volunteer with us. If you are interested in participating,
please contact Matthew McCabe at mccabem@ufl.edu.
Volunteers need not possess any special skills -- the St. Bernard
Project will provide on-site training during our visit. "Two Hands is
Enough".
2) Composers and Performers
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With the gracious support of Dr. Tae Hong Park, volunteers travelling
to New Orleans may submit works for performance at a special
fundraising concert to be presented on the campus of Tulane University
during our week there.
Composers and Performers interested in accompanying the group are
invited to submit works which will be considered for performance on
this special concert. Works need not be original compositions, but
should be contemporary in nature.
Possible submissions include, but are not limited to:
- Original compositions including electroacoustic music for up to 8 loudspeakers
- Live acoustic music, either contemporary, jazz, or world-music oriented
- Poetry or Performance Art Pieces
- Works relating to New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, Jazz, etc.
Please submit pieces for consideration to Matthew McCabe via email or in his mailbox in the UF School of Music front office.
Submission Deadline: December 5, 2007
3) Fundraising Activities
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In order to meet the costs associated with housing the volunteers
travelling to New Orleans, interested individuals who are unable to
accompany us on the trip are invited to participate in fundraising
activities on the UF campus leading up to Spring Break.
We are also seeking an individual who can coordinate fundraising
activities locally. If you are interested please contact Matthew McCabe
at mccabem@ufl.edu.
4) Donations
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We invite family, friends, classmates, professors, and colleagues to
assist us in raising money for our trip. Donations will be used to fund
the travel to and from New Orleans, housing the volunteers, and
purchasing building supplies for the St. Bernard Project. If donations
exceed the cost of the trip, the remainder of the funds will be donated
to the Project to continue supporting the rebuilding efforts after our
departure.
If you wish to assist, you can do so in several ways:
- Visit http://www.stbernardproject.org/and donate online
- Purchase a Home Depot Gift Card, which will be given to the Project to support the purchase of building materials for the use of the volunteers.
- Purchase tools which the volunteers will carry to New Orleans and leave behind for the benefit of the St. Bernard Project and its clients.
- Make a donation to UF SCI to assist with travel and lodging costs.
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Please take a moment and forward this link to your students,
colleagues, and friends. It is our hope to involve the entirety of the
UF School of Music in this project. Please help us do a little bit to
support the reconstruction of this great American City, which is an
important center of our musical history.
If you have any questions, please contact Matthew McCabe at mccabem@ufl.edu.
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