Music with a Mission: Serenade for Support at Manggha in Kraków

On July 9, 2024, I had the great honor of serving as the conductor and artistic director of the charity concert “Serenade of Support” at the Manggha Museum in Kraków. The event, organized in collaboration with the Dar Jonasza Foundation, aimed to raise funds for the treatment of little Staś, a brave boy fighting cancer, and to support the Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Clinic at the University Children’s Hospital in Kraków.

As an artist and conductor, I had the pleasure of working with an extraordinary group of musicians who brought a rich blend of sounds and cultures to our stage. Joachim Mencel, a virtuoso on the hurdy-gurdy and piano, Piotr Kopietz on accordion and bandoneon, and Ethan Smith on saxophone, all added incredible energy to each performance. Dariush Rasouli and Arad Emmamgoli, on traditional instruments such as the ney and daf, transformed the stage into a truly cross-cultural musical experience. We were also blessed with powerful percussion from Tomas Celis Sanchez and the deep resonance of Jacek Celer on double bass.

I invite you to watch a short video that captures some of the most beautiful moments of this special concert:

Fundacja Dar Jonasza is a charitable foundation dedicated to supporting children battling cancer in Kraków. Through the organization of fundraising events, the foundation raises money for medical treatments, rehabilitation, and improving the quality of life of young patients. They leverage the power of music by organizing concerts that bring together artists and communities, creating a vibrant atmosphere of hope and solidarity. Their mission is to provide hope and tangible help to children and their families, ensuring they receive the care they need.

The “Kontakt” Choir, which I had the pleasure to prepare and conduct, filled the venue with songs from all corners of the world. The program included pieces in languages such as Aramaic, Arabic, Ukrainian, Polish, and even Zulu, giving the performance its unique character. For me, as the conductor, it was a profound experience to unite these diverse elements into a single musical dialogue that moved the hearts of everyone in attendance.

The entire team worked with tremendous dedication, and during the concert, we collected funds to support the young patients of the Oncology Clinic. Thanks to the generosity of the attendees, donations were made for which we are deeply grateful.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the musicians, the Dar Jonasza Foundation for their trust, our sponsors, particularly Mean Well, and everyone who contributed to making this event a success. I believe that this evening was a testament to how music can unite people and support those who need it most.

Behind the scenes: a few pics from rehearsal