Elmira District Secondary School student Mitchell McCoy had two reasons to hold Wednesday’s music event at the high school: a personal love of music and a profound respect for a charity that supports musicians around the world. Playing for Change, a two-day concert, began Wednesday (May 8) and will be continued next week on the evening of May 15.
“I wanted to put on a night of music to honour the bands and give them more time to perform as opposed to our typical coffeehouse where they get a few minutes to really perform. I wanted to generate more money so I could benefit a charity of some sort and then I stumbled upon Playing for Change,” he explained.
![EDSS student and organizer of the Playing for Change concert Mitchell McCoy (front) stands next to The Suns, one of the bands who performed during the two day concert. The second date is set for May 15 in the EDSS cafeteria. [elena maystruk / the observer]](https://www.observerxtra.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/feature-edss.jpg)
McCoy, a student musician avidly involved in the craft, wanted to give local students and fellow musicians a better forum to show their stuff. As he started organizing the event, he researched the non-profit organization that funds musical education for students around the world.
“Because I am heavily involved with music at the school I already know most of the bands that perform in this area,” he said.
Eventually he was able to gather six bands, three of which, including Stained Glass Army and The Suns, performed on May 8. The other three will be playing next Wednesday.
Though McCoy admits he wishes he had more of an opportunity to advertise the event, he hopes to see a larger audience on the final night of the show. As for the organization, the Grade 11 student said he made use of many of his connections to make the event happen.
“I’m also involved with different committees within student council – that gives me the extra hands to be able to do more of the miscellaneous work.”
The playing for Change Foundation established about a decade ago is run out of Santa Monica, California and was started when a group of filmmakers created a documentary about street music worldwide. The project grew into an organization with various levels of involvement from musicians around the world with a focus on supporting those who desire a musical education.
The concert gears up again May 15 in the EDSS cafeteria, running 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door, with all proceeds going to the Playing for Change Foundation.
“It’s going to be a fun night for people to come out and listen to some local talent,” McCoy added.
