Music For All Seasons

Welcome Alonso!

Alonso initially became involved with
Music For All Seasons through his time at MSU as a member of the Cali Collective ensemble. 🎶 We are happy to welcome him as an official member of our musicians roster.

Alonso Restrepo is a passionate cellist from Cartagena, Columbia who loves performing as much as teaching music and cello. At the age of 11, he began studying cello because he was drawn to the sound of the instrument.

Before coming to NJ, Alonso received degrees from Northwestern State University and Louisiana State University. He has just completed his Artist Diploma at Montclair State University.

We look forward to many musical programs and collaborations. ❤️

In loving memory ❤️

Brian F. Dallow

Anyone that wishes to make a heartfelt donation to Music For All Seasons in Brian’s memory can visit our website:

musicforallseasons.org

In Loving Memory ❤️

Obituary
Brian F. Dallow
(June 15, 1943-July 2, 2024)

Brian Dallow, pianist, composer, educator, and arts administrator, was born in London, England. He studied at the Royal College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, the London School of Economics, Brandeis University, and Rutgers University. He holds degrees in performance, composition and theory, and musicology. Brian taught music theory and composition at Rutgers University in New Jersey and at Temple University in Philadelphia. He was the co-author of “Elemental Music Craft,” a music theory textbook published by Rutgers University Press, and his compositions include chamber music, incidental music for theatre and film, as well as musical scores for four musicals.
Brian was the President and Executive Director of Music For All Seasons, Inc.®, an organization co-founded with his wife, Rena Fruchter, who serves as Artistic Director. Music For All Seasons, Inc.® was created to bring the therapeutic power of live music to underserved audiences. Brian was instrumental in launching an innovative new MFAS program, Voices of Valor®, in which military veterans alleviate their stress and trauma through song writing.
He was a founding co-chair of the Alliance for Arts and Health New Jersey and served on the Research Committee of the Global Alliance for Arts and Health. In addition to Music For All Seasons, Brian was the co-founder of two orchestras, the New York Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and the Philharmonic Orchestra of New Jersey (now The Discovery Orchestra). In April of 1997 he was awarded a Certificate for “Outstanding and Invaluable Service to the Community” by the United States Congress.
Brian was recently honored for his fifty years as organist and choir director of Zion Lutheran Church in Rahway, New Jersey.
In addition to his professional activities, Brian enjoyed painting, sewing, and baking bread. He was an avid reader and fan of crossword puzzles. He loved traveling and being at the Nova Scotia summer home he shared with his wife and family. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren as often as possible.
Brian is survived by his wife of 55 years, Rena Fruchter, four children—Ruth Southland, Karen Burr, Joel Dallow (Amy McDougal), and Elise Verardi (Steven Verardi), and seven grandchildren—Cecily, Eric, and Jenna Dallow, Dvorah and Ariela Southland, and Mia and Ava Burr.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Music For All Seasons at www.musicforallseasons.org

Happy July! 🇺🇸

Chris Bishop and Kate Hall at Soldier On of Tinton Falls, NJ.

June 6th, 2024 🎶🎵

Matthew Malanowski and Melissa Lubars provided a special program for the residents at Cranford Senior Housing on 5/31.

Their unique song selection brings a fresh sound and uplifting program as well as touching on some of our favorite tunes from classic movies and musicals.

We will share some musical selections from Matt and Melissa on a future date. Stay tuned….. 🎵🎼🎵

Congratulations and Happy Trails to this extraordinary group of students! ❤️🎉

The MSU Cali Collective has been part of MFAS for the last two years as part of our collaboration with the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University.

Pictured: Alonso Restrepo, (Cello) Gabriel Anker, (Violin) Liana Branscome, (Violin) Rachel O’ Connor, (Viola) Annika Ross, (French Horn) and Michelle Zarco (Flute)

We had the privilege of working closely with the group as they completed their Artist Diplomacy Program and are now moving on to continue their careers. 🎼🎵

They have performed for many populations throughout their time with MFAS such as, Veterans Facilities, Juvenile Detention Centers, Senior Homes, Women’s Centers and Domestic Violence Shelters.

We are so very proud of each one of them and the immense growth and heart they have shown. We hope to share updates with you on their promising careers and future work with MFAS.

Their talents are unique and we will miss them. You always have a place in the MFAS Family. ❤️🎵❤️

Here comes the sun ☀️and a full month of music.

Welcome June! 🎼

Sharing a glimpse at one of our May programs! 🌸

Diane Michaels provided a Mother’s Day program for Josephine’s Place located in Elizabeth, NJ. The program took place on Friday, May 10th.

The harp is such a beloved instrument and the clients of Josephine’s Place always look forward to an afternoon with Diane and the knowledge and music that she brings to each facility she visits.

A beautiful way to celebrate this very special holiday. 🌸💗💐🌺🌷

May has been an incredibly busy month at MFAS! 🎶

David Rimelis and Pepito Gomez (pictured below) provided a Cinco De Mayo themed program on 5/3 at Josephine’s Place located in Elizabeth, NJ.

Sombreros and dancing were key components and made this fiesta a big success! 🎶💃🏻

Special thanks to the staff and clients of Josephine's Place for their continued partnership. We have been able to provide wonderful programs and events through their community of clients.

We will be sharing different highlights and some photos from May programs over the next 10 days!

Stay tuned for the next highlight. ⭐️✨

Voices of Change

In partnership with The Boy and Girls Clubs or Union County.

Sponsored by: The Westfield Foundation

MAY 🌸🌺🌻 at MFAS! 🎶

A month full of music and so many wonderful facilities!

We will be providing specialized programs for Mother’s Day, Cinco De Mayo and Memorial Day! More info to come……

The MSU Cali Collective students ❤️

We are so proud to have had two years to work with such immensely talented young musicians. ❤️

We look forward to their bright futures and are excited to remain working with them throughout.

We have some exciting programs lined up for Spring 2024! 🌸🎶

Our talented and unique roster of musicians helps to keep the MFAS mission alive. We are so grateful for all of their time and talent! 🎶🎶🎶

Welcome Spring 🌸💐🌷🌻

☘️☘️🎶🎶🎤🎶A few photos from Jody Mullen and Bruce Van Hoven’s visit to
The NJ Firemen’s Home in Boonton, NJ! 🎶

Irish tunes and laughs were shared and a lovely afternoon of music filled the air.

Congratulations to MFAS musician Sami Stevens!!!❤️

She has joined Norah Jones’ band and is preparing for an upcoming tour.

Sami will be on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon this evening.

You can also catch her on, The Today Show on 3/8 and CBS Morning show on 3/9! ❤️

Brava Sami! We wish you nothing but success as you begin this new adventure!

A look at the month of March at MFAS! 💚🎶

Diane Michaels provided a St. Patrick’s Day inspired program yesterday afternoon for the residents at Cranford Senior Housing.

She showcased her Celtic Harp and explained to the group the evolution of harps and the music that they bring to life.

Thank you, Diane. We appreciate you bringing your talent and the gift of the harp to our facilities year after year. 💚

Our new Voices of Change program:





________________________________________________________________________________
Professional Performances For Hope And Healing

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, January 31, 2024
Contact: Dana Daddio, Music For All Seasons, 908 322-6300
[email protected]

MUSIC FOR ALL SEASONS TO LAUNCH “VOICES OF CHANGE” PILOT PROGRAM AT
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF UNION COUNTY

The new “Voices of Change” (VOC) program will begin Tuesday, February 6th at the Boys & Girls Club of Union. There will be three cycles of the 9-week program, sponsored by the Westfield Foundation, running February through April. The programs will take place in the Union, Plainfield, and Elizabeth branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County.

The Voices of Change program will aid in putting a stop to bullying, ending violence, and preventing and discouraging self-harm. Through the experience of communication and creativity, the quality of life of the participants and those around them is expected to significantly improve. The collaborative experience of writing a song as a group inspires trust and creates a support structure to help today’s youth navigate the current challenging social landscape. Participants do not need any prior musical experience.
The Voices of Change program is an adaptation of Music For All Seasons’ transformative and award-winning Voices of Valor (VOV) program, which was developed in 2011 with the key objective of reducing stressors that significantly affect veterans’ quality of life: Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, clinical depression, and anxiety. It provides an important opportunity for veterans - most of whom have no prior musical experience - to turn their negative experiences and perspectives into something positive, creative, shared, and empowering, using the group setting to establish an energetic atmosphere of mutual support. VOV reduces veterans' stress and anxiety, lowers the risk of depression and other emotional health concerns, and improves their quality of life.
Roughly twelve youngsters, ages 13-16, will participate in each session (nine, 90-minute sessions) of Voices of Change. The youngsters will work closely with two professional Musician/Facilitators, and will learn how to write a group song that reflects their shared personal feelings and challenges. They will learn how to craft lyrics, how to set lyrics to music, and how to sing and record the finished song, which will be professionally recorded. At the end, they will have a song release party.
According to MFAS Artistic Director Rena Fruchter, “We are thrilled to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County to launch this exciting Voices of Change pilot program. We are proud to provide this unique program and appreciate the generous grant from the Westfield Foundation making it possible.
Russell Triolo, CEO of The Boys & Girls Clubs (BGCUC) of Union County, said “The Clubs have actively sought to add music to their program offerings. BGCUC is excited to partner with Music For All Seasons to launch the Voices of Change pilot program. Voices of Change will provide much-needed music programming for our Clubs, as well as address the need for trauma-informed care for today’s youth.”

Musician/Facilitators for the Union session will be Jennifer Lampert and Ron Haney. In Plainfield, Chris Bishop and Kate Hall will facilitate, and the final round, in Elizabeth, will feature Jennifer Lampert and Dave Rimelis.
For photos, interviews, or additional information, please call the Music For All Seasons office at 908 322-6300.
Additional Information
Music For All Seasons history, Westfield Foundation information, program flyer, and Musician/Facilitator Bios to follow.

Music For All Seasons nurtures human connection with under-resourced communities through healing musical experiences and inspiring creative collaborations with professional musicians.
Music For All Seasons (MFAS) fosters healing and human interaction through the art of creative songwriting and live musical performance, bringing programs to homes for youth at risk, veterans, and seniors, and hospitals and hospices. By facilitating creative musical events in children's hospitals, retirement facilities, juvenile detention centers, nursing homes, medical centers, halfway houses, prisons, and veterans' facilities, MFAS aids the physical, mental, and spiritual healing processes. We also foster strong, interconnected communities by solidifying the commitment of professional musicians serving special audiences and creating regular local volunteer opportunities.
Created in 1991 by co-founders Rena Fruchter (Artistic Director) and Brian Dallow (Executive Director), Music For All Seasons is active in five states—New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and California. MFAS brings live, professional, interactive musical programs to the residents of facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, shelters for victims of domestic violence, and juvenile detention centers, and provides extended songwriting sessions for veterans and youth-at-risk.
This award-winning organization provides the transformative and healing power of music to populations of all ages, and in many different situations.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County’s mission is to inspire and enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. The Clubs strive to provide a world-class club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who enters our doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle.
The mission and core beliefs of Boys & Girls Clubs fuel our commitment to promotion safe, positive, and inclusive environments for all. The first club was created in 1860 in Hartford, CT.
The Westfield Foundation’s purpose is to promote the betterment of Westfield New Jersey and its surrounding communities by enhancing the quality of life for all of its citizens.
The Foundation’s areas of focus include but are not limited to capital projects and improvements within Education, The Arts, Health and Human Services, Historic Preservation, Civic Projects, and Community development.
Their grants provide innovative and strategic responses to recognized community needs. The Foundation aims to partner with agencies and institutions to strengthen their services to the local community.


The Westfield Foundation

Hello February! ❤️💓❄️

Another busy month at MFAS! Below is a list of the facilities that our talented musicians will be visiting throughout February 2024!

MFAS is honored to continue our wonderful partnership with Women Aware.
Music For All Seasons had the opportunity to bring some holiday magic to the group on 12/6/23. ✨❤️🎶

Through the years we have sent many MFAS musicians to provide programming for these special families.

Looking forward to another year filled with music and connections. (pictured below- Matt Malanowski and Melissa Lubars)

Thank you to Mel and Melissa from Music For All Seasons for singing in the holiday season with our PALS (Peace: A Learned Solution) families.

Happy New Year!

January is looking bright! ❄️❄️❄️❄️

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2024! 🎉

Music For All Seasons 2023 Music For All Seasons Year End Campaign: Bringing Music Where It Is Needed Most

The countdown is on!! Give today! ONE day left to join our Givebutter Year-End campaign and make your tax-deductible donation for 2023, helping to provide the healing power of music to the many communities we serve. We welcome your support and we are thrilled to have you as a member of the Music For All Seasons family, whether you are new to our organization or have been with us for the past 32 years of service.
Check out our GIvebutter campaign:

Music For All Seasons 2023 Music For All Seasons Year End Campaign: Bringing Music Where It Is Needed Most